Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2021
962. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if concerns that the 5% nitrate reduction criteria of the BEAM scheme is generating significant concern among farmers particularly regarding their capacity to meet the reduction target before the 30 June 2021 deadline will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5909/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) provided 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. BEAM was funded by a combination of EU aid and Exchequer support. It was provided to support Irish beef farmers who saw beef prices fall in light of market disturbance.
One of the conditions under which the €50 million was granted by the EU was that there had to be an element of reduction or re-structuring built in to the scheme. Accordingly, in applying for BEAM, participants agreed to reduce the production of bovine livestock manure nitrogen on their holding by 5% for the period 1st July 2020 to 30th June 2021 as compared with the period 1st July 2018 to 30th June 2019.
It will not be possible to remove the reduction requirement because the exceptional EU aid was granted to Ireland on the basis of this reduction being implemented. However, the Department has engaged with the EU Commission regarding possible flexibility around the deadline for meeting the 5% reduction and I am hopeful of a positive response.
My Department continues to assist farmers in managing their commitments under the Scheme. Further initiatives involving updated data for the first six months of the reduction period and a scheme specific calculator will be rolled out shortly. My officials are also keeping in contact with agricultural advisors in relation to their engagement with those clients who are BEAM participants.
