Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has written to the European Commission seeking a change to the Beef Emergency Aid Measure (BEAM) scheme dates.
This would lift the pressure on the 18,000 farmer participants of BEAM who have to meet the 5% reduction in organic nitrogen requirement as of January 19.
Of the 32,444 farmers to receive €78 million in payments under the scheme just 14,072 (43%) are currently meeting the requirement this month.
Minister McConalogue said: “I am conscious that many applicants have already taken the necessary steps to comply with the scheme’s terms and conditions and that others took the decision not to apply.”
“I have been listening to and engaging with, farmers on the issue and I have written to the European Commission exploring whether any fair and proportionate options are available to help affected farmers in a fair way,” he added.
Farmers have until 30 June 2021 to make necessary reductions of 5% livestock manure nitrogen, compared to the reference period of 1 July, 2018 to 30 June, 2019.
LSL News.