Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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384. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) can opt out of the beef genomic scheme under force majeure ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15061/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The terms and conditions of the Beef Data and Genomics Programme state that, where a contract is terminated by an applicant, all monies paid under the Programme shall be repaid to the Department except in certain cases including where force majeure applies.

Where a beneficiary is unable to continue complying with the requirements of the Programme for reasons beyond his/her control, a case may be made under force majeure to terminate participation in the Programme. In such cases the applicant should inform the Department in writing including any relevant evidence they have to substantiate their position.

To-date, no such contact or correspondence has been received from the person named.  However, staff from my Department have made contact with the person named and have advised him that he may submit written reasons for his possible withdrawal. On receipt of such a submission, my Department will consider whether force majeure is applicable in this case.