Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 October 2023
181. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a 2021 BEEP payment will issue to a farmer (details supplied) in County Kerry) following a successful appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44258/23]
View answerThe objective of 2020 BEEP-S was to further increase economic and environmental efficiency in the suckler herd though improvement in the quantity and quality of performance data that is collected. This was done through the enhancement of the national herd dataset for genetic evaluations, with a view to supporting the adoption of best practice and more informed decision making at farm level. The Programme targeted the weaning efficiency of suckler cows and calves through the collection of the live weights of cows and progeny in the herd of each participant; improving the welfare of suckler calves at the time of weaning through vaccination and meal feeding; and controlling liver fluke in adult suckler cows.
The scheme opened on 12th March 2020 and closed on the 15th May 2020.
All dates were clearly set out in the Terms and Conditions, in the Press Releases and in the farming media. A series of texts also issued to herd owners, including the person named, informing them of the deadline for applications for the scheme. The person named did not create or submit an application for the 2020 BEEP-S programme.
Correspondence was received on 22 December 2020 stating that the person named had missed the deadline to submit the BEEP-S application on-line. A review took place and it was determined no application had been recorded. The person named was informed of the outcome of review on 22 December 2020 advising that there was no provision for accepting late applications after the closing date.
A further request for a review was received on 07 May 2021. The review was carried out in light of new information provided and was successful. A letter issued on 11 May 2021, enclosing an application form with an instruction to return the completed form. There is no record of the completed application form having been received to date. My Department will contact the person named and make arrangements to re-issue the application form. Upon receipt of a fully completed and signed application form, the case will be processed.
