The Committee previously met with Officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in June to consider concerns about the programme.

The officials outlined the rationale for the programme, which provides targeted support for suckler farmers to produce animals more efficiently. The programme database, HerdPlus, is administered by the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF).

Chairman of the Committee Andrew Doyle TD said, “The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) is a six year programme for suckler farmers, the first measure of its kind anywhere in the EU.

"Applications for the €300 million scheme closed in June, falling short of the 35,000 target. The scheme sets out to further develop pedigree breeding in Ireland, but the perceived inflexibility and lack of clarity in some of the terms and conditions of the programme has prompted criticism among beef farmers."

Doyle said tomorrow’s meeting will be an opportunity to hear officials from the ICBF outline their perspectives on the scheme and respond to the concerns raised.

The meeting takes place tomorrow Thursday 2 July at 11.30 am in Committee Room 4, Leinster House and can be followed live here.

Agriculture Committee to continue hearings on Beef Data and Genomics Programme

Representatives from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation will appear before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine tomorrow to discuss the Beef Data & Genomics Programme.