Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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1011. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if cattle that are exported live will be considered under the formulation of the new beef exceptional aid measure, BEAM scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26575/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Beef Finisher Payment (BFP) scheme was launched on the 10th August 2020.The aim of the scheme is to provide income support for farmers finishing beef who have been impacted by the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Payments are made based on the data contained on my Department’s Animal Identification and Movements (AIM) system. 

The Terms and Conditions of the BFP scheme defines eligible animals as follows;  “Eligible Animal” shall mean those bovine animals identified on AIM on the 15^thof July 2020 as aged 8 months or over when presented for slaughter to a slaughtering establishment approved under the European Communities (Food & Feed Hygiene) Regulations (S.I. 22 of 2020) in the period of 1 February 2020 to 12 June inclusive”.

Only those animals slaughtered during the reference period in approved slaughter establishments located in the State can be considered for payment under the scheme.

All live bovine animals that are moved out of Ireland are recorded as ‘Live Exports’ irrespective of the purpose for which they are exported.  The status of such exported animals cannot be verified systematically.