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Agriculture Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021

Tuesday, 2 November 2021

Questions (1244)

Seán Canney

Question:

1244. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures in place in relation to the BEAM scheme in circumstances in which farmers test positive for TB and have their herd restricted and therefore cannot sell cattle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53002/21]

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.

Just over 33,000 participants joined the scheme and over €77 million was paid to them in 2019, of which €50 million came from the EU.

In joining the scheme, participants gave a commitment to reduce the production of bovine livestock manure nitrogen on their holding by 5% for the period 1st July 2020 to 30th June 2021, or 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2021 for those that opted for the deferred reduction period, as compared with the reference period of 1st July 2018 to 30th June 2019 as recorded on the Department's AIM system.

Farmers who have been or who are currently restricted due to an outbreak of TB on their holding during either reduction period, will have their 5% bovine nitrates reduction commitment reduced in line with the length of their restriction(s).

Therefore, if a farmer had to reduce their bovine nitrates by 365kg during the 12-month reduction period and they were restricted for six months, their adjusted 5% bovine nitrates reduction commitment would be reduced to 182.5kg in light of the TB restriction.

The adjusted 5% bovine reduction commitment will run until the period of the TB restriction ends or the reduction period ends, whichever comes sooner.

Where a BEAM participant is of the view that this approach does not adequately address the TB circumstances on their holding, they still have the right to seek a review of their case. Such cases are dealt with on a case by case basis.

The Department continues to provide a monthly update to all BEAM participants who opted to defer with the bovine figures up to 31st September 2021 available on Agfood.ie. Monthly BEAM letters for October will issue in mid-November 2021.

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