Farmers raise beef data issues

The concerns of farmers relating to the new Beef Data and Genomics Programme have been outlined to Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney at an IFA-organised meeting in Claremorris, Co Mayo.

IFA president Eddie Downey said the turnout of thousands of farmers at a series of eight IFA meetings highlighted their concerns about aspects of the scheme.

The concerns relate to the inflexibility of the six-year rule and clawbacks, the 2014 reference year, young farmers, the 60% genomic testing, star ratings, replacement requirements, penalties and other issues.