Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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405. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of suckler farmers who have quality assurance. [10990/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The scheme which the Deputy refers to is operated by An Bord Bia and is called the Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme (SBLAS). 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

The scheme includes beef and sheepmeat and does not differentiate livestock relating strictly to suckler herds. I understand that at the end of 2017 there was 51,500 applicants accredited to the scheme. Information relating to operational matters can be obtained from Bord Bia by mailing them at .