Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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263. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the condition of the beef finisher payment that animals had to be slaughtered in the State if a farmer can provide evidence that while exported the live animals were in fact slaughtered outside the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6228/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Beef Finisher Payment (BFP) scheme was launched on 10th August 2020.The aim of the scheme was 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 the 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 15^thJuly 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 1st February 2020 to 12th 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 BFP 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.