IFA Livestock Chairman Brendan Golden said IFA has had detailed discussions with the Department of Agriculture to issue up-to-date statements for farmers that are easy to follow to measure compliance for the BEAM scheme 5% reduction.
“In our first meeting with the Department of Agriculture officials a number of weeks ago on this issue, the Department agreed with the principle, and to investigate the most beneficial mechanism to provide this information to farmers,” he said.
Brendan Golden said further discussions took place with senior Department of Agriculture officials last week and IFA’s proposals are being progressed.
“Farmers must be provided with regular and straightforward updates, setting out their position in relation to the 5% reduction and the facility to monitor in real time their reduction target,” he said.
Brendan Golden said these are critical payments for farmers, which was delivered by IFA following an intensive campaign highlighting the impact of Brexit on beef prices.
He said the Department of Agriculture must ensure farmers have the most up-to-date information for their herd to help meet the requirements of the scheme to protect these vital payments to beef farmers.
IFA has called on the Department of Agriculture to make this information available as soon as possible to avoid any market disruption or farmers inadvertently failing to comply with the requirement.
