Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1462. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details regarding letters issued to farmers in relation to the beef data and genomics programme demanding repayment from farmers; the number of farmers that have received repayment demands; the average amount sought by county; the rationale for issuing the demands at this time; the details of correspondence, reports, briefings and materials relating to the matter [22416/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) forms part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. It provides funding of €300 million over the six year programme and addresses widely acknowledged weaknesses in the maternal genetics of the Irish suckler herd, makes a positive contribution to farmer profitability and reduces the greenhouse gas intensity of Ireland’s beef production.

BDGP I & II provide for annual payments to participating farmers for completion of defined actions as set out in the Terms and Conditions of the scheme. Overall payments have amounted to €215m. To date in 2019, 22,957 particpants have completed the required actions to generate €41.47m in payments.

These schemes are co-funded by the EU. They represent a significant commitment for participating farmers over the duration of the programmes, and it is inevitable that some participants will seek to withdraw at some stage for a variety of reasons. A significant proportion of withdrawals each year are due to reasons such as ill health, and in such cases Force Majeure, as provided for by EU Regulations and in the Terms and Conditions of the Programmes, may be applied with no recoupment of monies paid.

However, in a number of cases annually, withdrawals are due to other reasons that will require any monies paid over the course of the programme to be repaid in accordance with the regulations. In some of these cases, the participant will have requested to withdraw and will have been made aware of the implications of withdrawal from the programme at this stage. In the remaining cases, participants will have been removed from the programme as they have repeatedly failed to meet key requirements of the programme. In such cases, the participant will have received correspondence enquiring as to whether they wished to continue in the programme and if so, advising them of the actions they needed to take in order to avoid being removed. Where no reply was forthcoming or where the non-compliance continued, the participant was removed and my Department have made arrangements for monies paid over the course of the programme to be repaid in accordance with the regulations.

Please see table below with the requested information.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1463. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farmers were removed from the beef data and genomics programme without prior indication that they wished to withdraw from the programme; the numbers of farmers removed from the scheme by year and county; the details of correspondence, reports, briefings and materials relating to the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22417/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

BDGP I and BDGP II commenced in 2015 and 2017 respectively, and both will run for six years. The programmes provide for six years of payments to farmers for completion of actions which deliver accelerated genetic improvement in the Irish national herd and improvement of its environmental sustainability. Overall payments have amounted to €215m. To date for 2019, 22,957 particpants have completed the required actions to generate €41.47m in payments.

The programmes represent a significant commitment for participating farmers over the duration of the programmes, and it is inevitable that some participants will seek to withdraw at some stage for a variety of reasons. A significant proportion of withdrawals each year are due to reasons such as ill health, and in such cases, Force Majeure as provided for by EU Regulations and in the Terms and Conditions of the Programmes may be applied with no recoupment of monies paid.

However, in a number of cases annually, withdrawals are due to other reasons that will require any monies paid over the course of the programme to be repaid in accordance with the relevant EU regulations. In some of these cases, the participant will have requested to withdraw and will have been made aware of the implications of withdrawal from the programme at this stage. In the remaining cases, participants will have been removed from the programme as they have repeatedly failed to meet key requirements of the programme. In such cases, the participant will have received correspondence enquiring as to whether they wished to continue in the programme and, if so, advising them what actions they needed to take in order to avoid being removed. Where no reply was forthcoming or where the non-compliance continued the participant was removed and my Department has made arrangements for monies paid over the course of the programme to be repaid in accordance with the relevant EU regulations

Please see tables below with the requested information for BDGP I and BDGP II.

BDGP I Withdrawals & Removals

BDGP II Withdrawals & Removals