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DEAR SIR: “News of BEAM set for under spend despite extensions” in the Irish Farmers Journal of 21 Sept (page 6), along with Phil Hogan’s comment “the greatest embarrassment of all time” does not surprise me, as many farmers who killed cattle during the 24 Sept – 12 May 2019 period will not get funded. It seems the cattle are eligible, but the farmer is not.
As usual, the Department hang out the carrot, but pull it back with red tape. A lot of farmers have a difficulty with online applications, while others are not eligible because they have no single payment. Most are members of Bord Bia, meaning the cattle are quality assured and should qualify for the BEAM payment.
It will be interesting to see just how many farmers get paid. I do not see why the Department does not send out the payment due to all cattle that qualify. After all, they have all the information about animal movements; “Field to fork” and all that. If Phil Hogan wants the money drawn down, just send it down and stop making farmers jump hoops to avail of the crisis fund.
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