Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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122. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree, if any, to which rare bovine herds or sheep flocks are protected or otherwise encouraged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25870/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Rare breeds are an important resource of livestock heritage and need to be conserved as a vital genetic resource for future generations and the benefit of agriculture. My Department have provided native rare breed status to the following bovine and ovine breeds - Dexter, Droimeann, Irish Moiled, Kerry Cattle and the Galway Sheep. Each of these breeds are catered for by approved breeding programmes which have been developed by their respective breed society which have been recognised by me in accordance with the EU Animal Breeding Regulations (Regulation (EU) 2016/1012). This legislation sets out rules and standards for the breed society and breeding programme and it acknowledges the necessity of the preservation of these rare breeds with limited number of breeding animals.

As well as being eligible for general livestock schemes I am delighted to provide funding specifically towards supporting these rare breeds.

In the current ACRES Scheme, Tier I priority entry was available to breeders who could show proof of membership of a rare breed society and have an animal of that breed registered in the herd for the duration of the contract. This has provided new interest with increased demand for these breeds and encouraged new membership for the Societies.

My Department also assists organisations to conserve and protect Irish rare breed farm animals. Organisations can apply each year and obtain up to €1,000 to assist in various projects, such as DNA analysis, marketing and promotion and purchase of equipment for the society.

In 1982, my Department first introduced a scheme of payments for maintaining purebred Kerry cattle as the breed was seriously at risk. I am pleased to continue to support this scheme and in 2024 I have made available a €120 payment per eligible calf subject to a maximum payment on 32 animals in any herd in a calendar year.

Finally, funding is available under the Genetic Resources Grant Aid Scheme to organisations for projects aimed at supporting the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources for food and agriculture. These breeds have successfully in the past obtained funding to carry out research projects, for example, investigating genetic variation, DNA sampling by Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP) analysis, purity comparison through genotypes.

I am fully committed to supporting these native rare breeds and their breeders and recognise their important contribution to our unique cultural, historic and genetic diversity.