In his reply to a parliamentary question by Roscommon-South Leitrim independent TD Denis Naughten, the minister wrote that his Department had received 29,531 valid BDGP applications by the 5 June 2015 deadline. As of Monday 21 September, “724 applicants have subsequently withdrawn from the programme, which amounts to less than 3% of all valid applications,” he added.

Participating farmers received their €urostar reports only in recent weeks and many are considering their options at the moment. Numbers are therefore likely to evolve by the end of this year.

BDGP “represents a major vote of confidence in the beef sector from this Government and the initial participation figures are very positive,” Coveney said.

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