Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 April 2019
256. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the assistance that can be given to farmers who are in the suckler farming business who wish to opt-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15741/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn submitting an application to participate in the BDGP, applicants gave an undertaking to adhere to the terms and conditions that govern the Programme. Payments under BDGP are based on the full completion of specified actions over the course of six years which were designed to improve the genetic merit of a beef farmer’s herd. Section 13 of the scheme’s Terms and Conditions refers to applicants who may withdraw from the scheme prematurely and it states that: ‘Where a contract is terminated by an applicant all monies paid under the Programme shall be repaid to the Department except in cases of Force Majeure.’
Further sub-section (a) states: "Where a beneficiary is unable to continue complying with the requirements of the Programme for reasons beyond his or her control a case may be made under force majeure to terminate participation in the Programme".
In particular, applicants should make reference to sub-section (b) which states the various force majeure categories that may be recognised and applied without prejudice in individual cases.
Applicants wishing to avail of this mechanism should inform the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, in writing with relevant evidence pertinent to their particular case. All correspondence should be addressed to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Beef Schemes Section, Old Abbeyleix Road, Portlaosie, Co Laois.
