Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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760. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a breed of cattle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44637/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Droimeann Cattle Society Ltd was recognised by my Department to maintain a herd book for pure-bred breeding animals of the Droimeann breed since 4th November 2016 in line with Statutory Instrument 19 of 2009 European Communities (Bovine Breeding) Regulations 2009 (SI 19 of 2009). The Droimeann Cattle Society Ltd will continue to be considered as a recognised breed society following the introduction of the new Animal Breeding legislation, Commission Regulation 2016/1012.

The Society has established a breeding programme for the preservation of the breed. Currently all animals entering the Droimeann herdbook are genomically tested to establish their purity and they are classified accordingly in the herd book based on these scientific results. The establishment of such a herd book in this manner based on science, is the beginning of creating a solid foundation in the preservation of the breed. I am pleased to say also that my Department was in a position to provide some funding to the Society to assist them in establishing the herdbook.