Written answers

Wednesday, 27 February 2019

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Livestock Issues

Photo of Michael FitzmauriceMichael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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160. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason he is apparently complicit in a private arrangement between organisations (details supplied) regarding the 4-movement rule by allowing Department funded electronic boards in marts to display information which could devalue animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9873/19]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Livestock marts play a critical role in the trade of animals in Ireland and it is essential that purchasers have the most up to date information to inform their buying decisions.

In May 2016 I launched the Mart Modernisation Grant Scheme which provided €300,000 in funding for new ringside display screens at marts to view the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) star ratings for beef breeding stock. The scheme was introduced to assist farmers in the purchase of breeding stock for participation in the Beef Data Genomics Programme (BDGP) to ensure compliance with the 4 & 5 star breeding requirements of the Programme.

The development of the 4-movement rule is a commercial matter in which neither I nor my Department have any role. However, I understand that the display of this type of information predates the introduction of this scheme in 2016.

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