Beef Industry

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2020

Tuesday, 7 July 2020

Ceisteanna (556)

Matt Shanahan

Ceist:

556. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the stakeholders in the beef industry he will be engaging with, aside from the beef taskforce, to ensure the best possible supports are put in place in view of the announcement on 25 June 2020 of €50 million to be made available for beef finishing farms; the estimated level of support which will be made available to each individual applicant; the potential qualifying criteria that will be applied; when he expects to be in a position to apply to the EU for the necessary state aid approval under the Covid-19 temporary state aid framework; when he expects to be in a position to formally roll out the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13922/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The €50 million Beef Exceptional Aid package is targeted towards beef finishers in recognition of the fact that they have borne the most immediate and severe economic impact arising from the market disturbance arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The scheme is being designed to be as farmer friendly as possible to ensure that the support can be most effectively targeted where it is needed.

My Department officials have engaged with farming stakeholders, who were also invited to make written submissions regarding the development of the scheme. These submissions are now under consideration.

The measure is required to be notified to the European Commission under the new COVID-19 temporary exceptional aid framework. My Department is currently finalising the required documentation and expects to be in a position to submit the formal notification shortly.

I hope to be in a position to announce details of the measure, including terms and conditions, in August.