Majority of farmers will receive less than €2,000 under beef aid scheme

FIGURES obtained by the Farming Independent show that over 80pc or 35,335 of eligible farmers will receive a payment of less than €2,000 under the new Beef Finisher Payment scheme.

The Department estimates that just 778 farmers will receive the maximum €10,000 payment, while 1,719 will be eligible for a payment exceeding €6,000.

Despite concerns over the exclusion of sales to the North and for live export from the scheme, it was broadly welcomed by farm organisations.

However, the Farming Independent understands there is some disquiet among farmers over some of the scheme’s other criteria for payment.

Many farmers are set to miss out on the support by just days, while others believe the reference period should have included the low beef price period in autumn 2019.

Key requirements:

■ Cattle must be slaughtered in the reference period of February 1 to June 12;

■ Cattle must have been aged eight months or more when slaughtered;

■ They must have been resident on the qualifying herd for at least 30 days prior to slaughter (if not, the previous owner is eligible for payment if they are an applicant and had the animal for over 30 days);

■ Animals identified on the Department systems as presented for slaughter by or on behalf of a factory will not be eligible;

■ Applicants must be a member of the Bord Bia Beef and Lamb Quality Assurance Scheme or undertake to become a member of a quality scheme before September 30;

■ There is a cap of 100 eligible animals per herd.

2019 losses

ICMSA president Pat McCormack welcomed the confirmation of the scheme’s details, but said there will still be some disappointed farmers, particularly those who suffered heavy losses in 2019.

However, he said the conditions around the scheme were straightforward and inclusive in that the scheme was open to all farmers who had sent cattle to the factories — a reference to dairy farmers’ exclusion from the previous BEAM scheme.

IFA president Tim Cullinan said it’s crucial that the money gets out to farmers as soon as possible and that the full €50m is spent.

“There should be a provision to increase the payment per animal if there is any underspend,” he added.

Eligible farmers are encouraged to apply once the scheme opens on August 19.