Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

222. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a beef genomics payment will be awarded to a person (details supplied). [4595/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In applying to join the Beef Data Genomics Programme (BDGP) the person named committed to participating in the programme for the full 6 years of the programme.

One of the requirements of the Programme is that a valid Basic Payment Scheme application is submitted to the Department on a year basis and on which all land parcels are declared. If the eligible forage hectares declared in any year is less than 80% of the maximum payable area notified to successful applicants in Year 1, due to the sale or transfer of the land, the applicant concerned will not be permitted to continue participation in BDGP.

As the person named did not declare the additional land on his Basic Payment Scheme application this land cannot be considered for payment under BDGP.

A letter will issue to the person named, in the coming days, detailing this decision. He will also be informed of how he can have the decision reviewed should he so wish and of his right to appeal the outcome of any such review to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

223. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers awaiting 2018 beef data and genomics programme payments; the amount to be paid to farmers under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4624/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Beef Data and Genomics Programme provides for six-year payments to farmers for completion of actions which deliver accelerated genetic improvement in the Irish national herd and improvement of its environmental sustainability.

Payments under the 2018 Programme year for both BDGP I and BDGP II commenced in December 2018 and as of today a total of 22,229active participants have received payments of some €39.9m.

Up to 2,314 remaining participants may be paid over the coming weeks once compliance is achieved with the requirements of the Programme. My Department cannot determine the final total amount at this stage because some farmers who do not complete all the actions for the year will not get full payment. Further pay runs are being made to pay more farmers as they become eligible for payment.