Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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959. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will change the date by which farmers must reduce their herd size to comply with the conditions of the BEAM scheme in view of mart closures and resultant difficulties in selling cattle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5517/20]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The objective of the Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) was to provide 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. This aid was granted to provide temporary market adjustment support in response to a specific market disturbance as outlined in Ireland's notification to the EU Commission and the 5% reduction was part of the conditionality sought by the EU.

Approved BEAM participants have given a commitment to reduce the production of bovine livestock manure nitrogen on the holding by 5% for the period 01 July 2020 to 30 June 2021 as compared with the period 01 July 2018 to 30 June 2019 as recorded on Department systems. Given that this requirement only begins next July and is reviewed across the duration of a year, it is not intended to amend that condition at this time.

Participants who need advice on how to manage this reduction can contact the Department or consult an agricultural advisor to work out which changes will make most sense on their farm.