Skip to main content
Normal View

Agriculture Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2021

Tuesday, 18 May 2021

Questions (698)

Michael Creed

Question:

698. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which his Department is dealing with the requirement for a 5% reduction in the organic nitrates load for farmers that participated in BEAM and that are impacted by TB outbreaks in the referenced period; if this cohort of farmers were specifically communicated with outlining the options available to them; if not communicated with specifically arising from their TB issues, if he will look favourably on late applications by this cohort for the derogations and concessions available; and if he will consider the case of a person (details supplied) in this context. [25632/21]

View answer

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. BEAM was funded by a combination of EU exceptional aid and Exchequer support.

One of the conditions under which the €50 million was granted by the EU was that there had to be an element of reduction or re-structuring built in to the scheme - Article 1 (3) of (EU) 2019/1132 refers. Accordingly, in applying for BEAM, participants agreed to reduce the production of bovine livestock manure nitrogen on their holding by 5% for the reduction period 1st July 2020 to 30th June 2021 as compared with the reference period 1st July 2018 to 30th June 2019.

As set out in 7.1.1.1 of the Terms and Conditions of BEAM, "where an applicant's particpation in a pre-existing scheme or programme, administered by the Department, or where a pre-existing legal obligation requires a minimum number of bovine livestock, and where achieving such reduction would result in a failure to meet that requirement, an applicant must apply to the Department for a derogation prior to 30 September 2019".

The farmer named previously submitted an appeal for animals that had to be slaughtered early due to a TB outbreak on his holding. He was unsuccessful in that appeal.

A new and different appeal has now been lodged requesting a derogation from the 5% reduction requirement. This appeal has been unsuccessful and the farmer notified, including his right to appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office.

Top
Share