The objective of the €75m 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. It remains a central requirement of the programme and has been since it's inception. While there has been intermittent disruption to mart sales over the reduction period to date, the level of trade overall is comparable to the same period last year and the facilities to reduce or restructure a participating herd in line with scheme requirements remain in place.
A significant portion of participating farmers have already made the necessary adjustments to their herds to deliver the reduction required. Participants who need advice on how to manage this reduction can contact the Department or consult an agricultural advisor to work out which changes will make most sense on their farm. In addition, my Department will shortly be writing to participating farmers to with information to assist them in meeting the 5% commitment on their holdings.
My Department is also engaging with public and private agricultural advisors to ensure that their farmer customers are informed of their requirements.
