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Farmers can soon apply for the new €50m beef Finisher Payment, details of which were published by the Minister on Wednesday night.
Here are the key details you need to know about the new scheme, which could see 42,000 farmers receive €100/head for cattle slaughtered during the coronavirus lockdown.
Q. What’s the reference period?
A: 1 February 2020 to 12 June 2020.
Q: I killed heifers in January, can I apply?
A: No, the reference period begins on 1 February 2020 until 12 June 2020.
Q: I sent cows to the factory last week, am I eligible?
A: No, the reference period ended on 12 June 2020.
Q: I sold cattle to a dealer in April who slaughtered them in May, does he get the beef fund money?
A: Dealers are not eligible to claim from the fund.
Q: Are dairy farmers eligible?
A: Yes.
Q: Are cull cows eligible?
A: Yes.
Q: Do I have to be in Bord Bia QA to get the money?
A: Applicant must be a member of the Bord Bia Beef and Lamb Quality Assurance Scheme at the time of application, or undertake to become a member of a quality scheme prior to 30 September 2020.
Q: I’m a suckler farmer, can I apply?
A: You can only apply if you slaughtered cattle yourself during the reference period and meet the other criteria.
Q: Do you have to reduce stock numbers like the BEAM scheme?
A: No. There is no requirement to reduce stock numbers for this scheme.
Q: How do I apply?
A: Applications will be made online through the agfood.ie portal.
If you need help registering for www.agfood.ie, farmers can contact the AgFood registration helpdesk on 076-106 4424. You can also contact this phone number if you need help to register an agricultural consultant or Teagasc adviser to apply on your behalf.
Q: When can I apply?
A: The opening date for applications will be 19 August 2020 and the closing date will be 9 September 2020.
More details will be available on https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/farmerschemesandpayments/BFP closer to the application date.
Q: When will I get paid?
A: The Department of Agriculture has not given a payment date, but the Irish Farmers Journal understands that payment is likely to be in November this year.
Got a question you want answered about the new scheme? Email us on news@farmersjournal.ie
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