Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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981. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 234 of 29 June 2017, the number of participants in the sustainable beef and lamb assurance schemes, by county (details supplied). [34787/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Quality Assurance Schemes operated by Bord Bia have been developed over a period of years and extend beyond the farm gate as vertical industry integrated schemes. They are voluntary in nature. The Beef Quality Assurance Scheme commenced in 2004, and a Lamb Scheme commenced  in 2007.  A combined Beef and  Lamb Quality Assurance Scheme commenced in January 2011. Both  beef and lamb feature in the Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme launched in April 2017.  An amount of €6 million has been provided in 2017 for independent on farm inspection and certification. 

 My officials will contact Bord Bia for the information sought by Deputy as this scheme is run by Bord Bia, and is an operational matter for them. This information will be provided to the Deputy by my Department under separate cover. However should the Deputy require any further information, he should contact Bord Bia directly at the agreed Oireachtas contact address: info@bordbia.ie.