29th May 2015

ICSA president Patrick Kent says that farmer anger at the restrictions of the new Beef Data and Genomics Programme is continuing despite attempted reassurances from the Department.

“I attended ICSA-organised public meetings in Limerick [and Waterford?] this week, and if anything, farmer anger about this programme is growing rather than abating,” he said. “The point was made at the Limerick meeting last night that keeping a few extra cattle could actually be more profitable than entering the scheme, which is a ridiculous situation.”

“The Department’s so-called reassurances have done nothing to alleviate farmer concerns around the scheme, and I would again call on the Minister to address the key issues of the six-year contract, uncertainty around star ratings, the level of testing required and the need for unannounced inspections if he really wants to see a full take-up of this scheme by next Friday.”