Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I understand the beef exceptional aid measure, BEAM, scheme is undersubscribed. This scheme needs to be re-opened and redefined in terms of eligibility. Many suckler farmers cannot participate in this scheme because one of the criteria is that they must reduce the size of their herd. The average suckler herd farmer in Ireland has approximately 18 cows, with most of those living in and around where I live having only ten or 12 cows. To be eligible for the scheme, these farmers would have to reduce their herd which, in turn, would reduce their income. This disadvantages the smaller farmer. There are also issues arising in regard to the agri-environment options scheme, AEOS. There are many farmers who, when their contracts under this scheme ended, could not access a green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, GLAS. These farmers are now outside of both schemes and they are precluded from entering into the BEAM scheme. The Minister needs to re-open the scheme, change the criteria, reduce the onerous conditions attached to it and ensure that farmers, particularly suckler farmers, have equal access to it.

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