Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
1184. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding allocated to a scheme for beef finishers from 2019 to 2022; the proposed reforms of the scheme in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52423/21]
View answerThe following recent support schemes specifically targeted beef finishers:
In 2019, the Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) was a once off, co-funded exceptional temporary adjustment aid scheme to support beef farmers (including finishers) in the context of market disturbance caused by uncertainty due to Brexit. This scheme was co-funded by the EU under the exceptional aid provisions of the CMO Regulation, with a total allocation of up to €100 million. Eligibility and payment was based on both finished animals and suckler cows. This scheme was demand- led and 32,500 farmers drew down €78 million of support under this scheme.
In 2020, in response to market disturbances caused by the emergent COVID-19 pandemic, a further once off demand-led exceptional aid payment was made to beef finishers under the Beef Finisher Payment (BFP) scheme.
The BFP scheme was exchequer funded, and approved under the EU's COVID-19 State Aid Temporary Framework, with the objective of providing support for beef finishing farms which had been severely impacted by the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and was based on animals presented for slaughter in a previous specific period. €50 million was allocated and 27,200 farmers drew down €46.6 million of aid under this measure.
Other support schemes available to beef farmers, but not specifically targeted at finishers, are as follows:
|
Year |
Scheme |
Allocation |
|
2019 |
BEEP Pilot |
€20 million |
|
2020 |
BEEP-S |
€40 million |
|
2020 |
Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) |
€45 million |
|
2021 |
Beef Sector Efficiency Programme (BSEP) |
€40 million |
|
2021 |
Dairy beef welfare |
€5 million |
|
2021 |
BGDP - Transition |
€40 million |
Funding of over €85 million has been provided in the 2022 Budget for targeted supports for the beef sector including BDGP, BEEP-S, and the Dairy Calf Programme. The details are currently being finalised and will be announced in due course.
