The Ulster Unionist Party has called on the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) to confirm that participation in a new cattle genetics scheme will remain voluntary.

UUP agriculture spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA made the call ahead of the Bovine Genetics Genotyping Scheme opening to dairy and suckler farmers on September 1. The scheme provides £13 per animal for genotyping.

Armstrong is urging farmers to take part, but she said they should not be forced into participation in the future. She has asked the Minister why participation in the Bovine Genetics Project is being made a condition of the Farm Sustainability Payment.

During questioning by the AERA Committee last autumn on whether participation would become mandatory after 2026/27, the response was that future measures under consideration include incentivisation, conditionality and regulation. Armstrong said that is not a denial and farmers are entitled to know whether the Department intends to compel them.

She also warned farmers not to delay registration, noting a deadline of May 15, 2028. Farmers who have not registered for the Bovine Genetics Project and completed the required training by that date face losing 10 per cent of their Farm Sustainability Payment, rising to 15 per cent in subsequent years. The £13-per-animal genotyping scheme also closes on that date.

Armstrong said the Department had not highlighted either date in its press release and that farmers could be caught out if they delay. She advised herd owners to opt in early, noting that two years will go quickly.

She said genotyping can provide detailed information on traits including fertility, feed efficiency, animal health and carcase quality, helping farmers make more informed breeding decisions. She added that genetic gain is permanent and compounds in the herd generation after generation.

Armstrong pointed to the Republic of Ireland, where she said around half of breeding herds have already signed up. She said getting this right could be one of the most significant things done for the livestock sector in a generation, but she wants Northern Ireland farmers to have the same tools offered rather than forced on them.