In the latest development on the subject, Minister Coveney met with representatives from the Irish Cooperative Organisation Society (ICOS) on Wednesday 18 November in Government Buildings in order to discuss the organisation’s proposal that his Department co-fund the cost faced by marts of displaying animals’ €uro-Star information in rings around the country.

As the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) is predominantly a €uro-Star-based scheme, farmers buying animals in marts have to be able to see the star ratings of animals they purchase.

This requires marts to install new boards where the star ratings of animals can be displayed. But at an estimated cost per board of €8,000 to €10,000, the price is seen to be fairly prohibitive for mart managers.

ICOS, which represents Ireland’s marts, has therefore asked the Minister to consider a grant aid proposal, whereby half of the cost is carried by his Department. Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, Ray Doyle of ICOS said this would be the best way to speed up the installation of boards in marts across the country.

“By the time marts raise enough money by themselves to install the boards, the six-year BDGP might be nearly over,” he said.

Coveney has now gone away to consider the proposal which will include a decision on whether the funding can come from the €300m BDGP budget, the Exchequer or the overall €4b Rural Development Programme.

It would appear, however, that some mart managers are not happy even with the possibility of co-funding. The Dealer reported earlier this month that one mart manager he spoke to on the matter retorted: “Grant or no grant – I’m not paying for a new board.”

Co-funding for mart boards 'under consideration'

Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney is still considering a proposal to co-fund the cost for marts of buying boards that will display the star ratings of animals in line with the BDGP.