Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 December 2020
183. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry did not receive payment under the beef finisher payment scheme for animals that were slaughtered in the European Union; if these animals will be made eligible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40529/20]
View answerThe Beef Finisher Payment (BFP) scheme was launched on 10th August 2020. The aim of the scheme was to provide income support for farmers finishing beef who have been impacted by the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Payments are made based on the data contained on my Department’s Animal Identification and Movements (AIM) system. My Department issued €46.6m to 27,200 farmers under the BFP last month.
The Terms and Conditions of the BFP scheme defines an eligible animals as “those bovine animals identified on AIM on 15th July 2020 as aged eight months or over when presented for slaughter to a slaughtering establishment approved under the European Communities (Food & Feed Hygiene) Regulations (S.I. 22 of 2020) in the period of 1st February 2020 to 12th June inclusive”.
Only those animals slaughtered during the reference period in approved slaughter establishments located in the State can be considered for payment under the scheme. All live bovine animals that are moved out of Ireland are recorded as ‘Live Exports’ irrespective of the purpose for which they are exported. The status of such exported animals cannot be verified systematically.
The person named lodged a BFP application under appeal on 8 September as it was determined that he had no eligible animals. A review of the movements from the herd in the reference period was carried out and a letter upholding the Department's position issued on 5 October as it was determined that all animals in question had been exported to Northern Ireland. The letter also advised the person named of their right to appeal the decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office.
