This is a subscriber-only article
Payments under the 2020 Beef Finisher Payment (BFP) have begun to issue to farmers, Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has confirmed.
A total of €46.6m is set to hit the bank accounts of some 27,200 farmers participating in the scheme.
Minister McConalogue said: “This support provides a valuable income and helps mitigate the economic impact for those farmers who finished cattle when prices were under particular pressure as a result of COVID-19 earlier this year.
“Beef farming is an important economic activity, with a significant multiplier effect in local rural communities, and thus is more important than ever in sustaining these communities as we work towards economic recovery.”
Support trade
The payment amounts to approximately €100/head to all eligible applicants and relates to losses incurred by farmers during the period 1 February to 12 June 2020.
More than 28,000 farmers applied for the scheme. The average payment per farmer will be in the region of €1,600, with farmers applying for just over 16 animals on average.
Minister McConalogue continued: “The scheme has helped provide a floor to the mart trade this autumn. The support has assisted finishers in purchasing weanlings and store animals which has in turn supported our suckler farmers.
“It is the belief of this Government that we need a well-supported beef sector because of the many benefits the sector has on our society and our economy. My department stands ready to support our beef and suckler farmers into the future.”
Meanwhile, payments under GLAS PLUS began this week, with €3.6m being paid out to 3,200 farmers in the scheme for delivering exceptional environmental output. This bonus is being delivered four weeks ahead of schedule this year.
Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue said payments are being made at an accelerated rate in light of the impact of COVID-19 restrictions.
SHARING OPTIONS: