Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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185. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme Sucklers and Beef Data and Genomics Programme schemes in their final year respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55573/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Beef Environmental Efficiency– Suckler (BEEP-S) 2020, 2021 & 2022

Following on from the success of the BEEP pilot program in 2019, BEEP-S was devised to further increase the economic and environmental efficiency in the suckler herd through better quality data on herd performance supporting decision making on farm. The scheme provided support and payment for weight recording and additional animal welfare measures such as vaccination, meal feeding and faecal testing. Successive schemes followed in 2021 and 2022.

The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP)

BDGP formed part of Ireland's Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. It targeted improving the genetic merit of the Irish suckler herd, reducing the greenhouse gas intensity of Ireland’s beef production, and improving farmer profitability. In December 2020, approval was received for the continuity of BDGP in 2021 for eligible participants who wished to continue in the Programme. A further annual extension of the 2021 BDGP contract was offered to all 2021 BDGP participants for the 2022 year.