ICMSA delivers recommendations for €50m Beef Compensation Fund

The new Beef Compensation Fund should be open to every farmer who finishes cattle.

That’s the view of the Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers’ Association President Pat McCormack, who has explained that the Association has written to the Department of Agriculture outlining proposals on how the €50m fund should be distributed.

Mr McCormack has also included a call that the fund should be payable for all animals slaughtered beyond the age of eight months.

“The Association has proposed a reference period of the year running from June 12 2019 to June 11 2020 and have also proposed 80 cattle as the maximum number for which payment can be sought,” Mr McCormack said.

“The basis for this is that farmers who slaughtered cattle during this period have suffered from Brexit or COVID-related losses, and farmers typically slaughter similar numbers each year.

“By picking a full year, we are reflecting the fact that all farmers who slaughtered cattle over that period have suffered losses, and while the reality is that the €50m fund will only partially compensate farmers for their losses, it is still important that all farmers’ losses are recognised,” he added.

Mr McCormack said the written submission has also called for previous herd owners to be paid if an animal they’ve sold is slaughtered within 30 days of sale. The association has also suggested that animals reared in the Republic but slaughtered in the north of the country should be included.

“We have set out a number of proposals that we think would streamline and simplify both the application and administration of the €50m Beef Scheme,” he said. “We would also stress that the reference period is fair and workable.

“We think it is essential that the scheme is finalised without delay and payments made as quickly as possible and so provide an element of confidence in the beef sector.”