Roscommon Galway TD Michael Fitzmaurice has indicated his surprise at the large number of farmers who have withdrawn from Beef Genomics Scheme.
In a statement released this morning he said “Further to previous press releases on this matter it has now come to my attention that a total of 4,278 farmers have withdrawn from the Beef Genomics Scheme which is an astounding figure and it is in the region of 15% of the farmers that joined the scheme.Never before in the history of the state has that number withdrawn from any scheme. It shows that this scheme is unattainable for a lot of farmers. It is money, like the highest apple on the branch, which is very hard to get.” He went on to say that he had often spoken about the need to revise the system and said that “if common sense prevails” the Beef Genomics Scheme will be simplified. so that this (the withdrawal of 15% of the applicants) does not happen. He concluded by saying “We need all the farmers who apply to be able to stay in the scheme”