4,278 dropouts from Beef Data and Genomics Programme

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has confirmed that 4,278 of the original 29,865 applicants to the Beef Data and Genomics Programme have withdrawn

Dropouts from the scheme have accelerated since mid-January, when Mr Coveney said 3,000 have withdrawn, but some of these had subsequently asked to re-enter.

At the time, he said withdrawals from such a scheme were not unusual, particularly when one considers the simple application procedure and the high volume of applicants. In mid-January, therewere also eligibility issues with a further 500 applicants