On the 9th June 2008, the European Commission published Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State
aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001. One of the aid schemes concerned has been a lotted to the entire Member state of Ireland which aims to identify and source the supply of Irish tested superior genetics to the beef and dairy farmers and to build a knowledge base with the information.

The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) — 2007 Progeny test programme began on the 31st July 2007 and is set to complete a duration of three years until December 2010. Proceedings are being organised and conducted by the Department of Agriculture and Food (based in Dublin) under the National Development Programme 2007-2013. The expected annual expenditure oif the scheme is 0,8 million euros in respect of eligible costs incurred in relation to the 2007 program over the period 2007-2010.

Department of Agriculture and Food

The agriculture and food sectors in Ireland accounts for 8.4% of GDP, 9.5% of employment, 7.12% of total exports and a significant share of Net Foreign Earnings from exports. The future of the sector is vital therefore not only for our rural communities but for the economy as a whole. Following the successful outcome from the Department of Agriculture and Food's Agenda 2000 agreement I believe that the sector has a solid and favourable framework for development over the next several years. There are challenges ahead which offer both opportunities and threats and I am striving to ensure that the sector is sufficiently strong and competitive to meet these challenges and to grow and prosper in the future.