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Agriculture Scheme Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2020

Wednesday, 13 May 2020

Questions (944)

Carol Nolan

Question:

944. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which he plans to disburse or use the approximately €25 million underspend from the BEAM scheme; if a further BEAM scheme will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5264/20]

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Written answers

The objective of the Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) was to provide temporary exceptional adjustment aid to farmers in the beef sector in Ireland subject to the conditions set out in EU Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1132. This aid was granted to provide temporary market adjustment support in response to a specific market disturbance as outlined in Ireland's notification to the EU Commission and the 5% reduction was part of the conditionality sought by the EU.

Approved BEAM participants have given a commitment to reduce the production of bovine livestock manure nitrogen on the holding by 5% for the period 01 July 2020 to 30 June 2021 as compared with the period 01 July 2018 to 30 June 2019 as recorded on Department systems.

With regard to the use of funds from the BEAM Scheme in 2019, I have already provided €85m in supports for the beef sector in Budget 2020, on top of the €20 million provided last year for the BEEP pilot. This includes a €45 million provision for an extension to the BDGP (Beef Data and Genomics Programme)

This year’s scheme – the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme (Sucklers), will deliver a maximum payment of €90 per suckler cow for the first 10 cows, and €80/head thereafter up to a maximum of 100 head/herd. This is a significant increase in the payment available compared to the BEEP Pilot in 2019. This extra funding is available to suckler farmers right now. It is a straightforward scheme, which can deliver a significant cash-flow injection, and I would urge you to encourage suckler farmers to apply before the deadline of 15 May.

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