Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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62. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to ensure that good animals are not being dismissed under the technicalities of the BDGP scheme; the steps he is taking to ensure that the skill of assessing an animal by eye is not being dismissed by the technicalities of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23643/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) forms an integral part of my Department's current Rural Development Programme (2014-2020). The BDGP is the current main support for the suckler sector and will provide farmers with some €300 million of funding over six years.

It was introduced by my Department with the clear and stated objective of using bovine genetics to address the progressive decline in key maternal traits within Ireland's suckler herd. The scheme aims to improve the profitability of the sector and reduce the carbon footprint of the herd. This is being achieved through the use of objective metrics which ensures consistency in evaluation of animals in terms of genetic merit. Currently there are 24,775 participants between BDGP I and II and a total of €42.8 million has been paid to participants for 2017 already.

The scheme's effectiveness is based on enhancing the genetic merits of the national suckler herd through clearly defined objective metrics for participants in the scheme. Key metrics such as the number of calves per cow per year, the calving interval, and age at first calving, docility, size and vitality, along with the prevalence of conditions such as scour and pneumonia are measured against agreed criteria. One of the most notable examples is the number of calves per cow per year, which has moved from 0.80 in 2014 to 0.87 for 2017; which across the entirety of the scheme herds represents an additional 40,000 calves for sale, with a weanling output value of some €30m to the participating beef farmers.

After years of decline in key maternal traits, genetic trend for replacement index has now turned around and is generating significant additional gains for participating beef farmers. Additionally, important validation work undertaken by Teagasc and the Irish Cattle and Breeding Federation (ICBF) on 46 participating commercial beef farms over the past 3 years has confirmed that 5 star cows are more fertile, lighter (thereby requiring less feed), produce more milk (a heavier weanling) and overall produce a heavier carcass for beef farmers. In effect the key metrics of the scheme have provided clear evidence that cattle in the BDGP schemes are producing more benefits from less resources. This is consistent with the key objectives of the scheme, which is to breed more profitable and climate efficient cattle.

On this basis, I believe the scheme is an excellent example of utilising empirical evidence to enhance the quality and sustainability of the national herd.