Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the js_composer domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /data/sites/web/michaelfitzmauriceie/www/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6121
BEAM extension must be secured – Fitzmaurice – Michael Fitzmaurice Independent TD Skip to main content
Press Releases

BEAM extension must be secured – Fitzmaurice

By January 28, 2021No Comments

An extension to the BEAM scheme for farmers must be secured by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, according to Roscommon-Galway TD Michael Fitzmaurice.

Reacting to today’s news that Minister Charlie McConalogue has written to the European Commission for alternatives for the participants not currently in line with the original scheme’s requirements, Fitzmaurice believes an extension must be secured.

“Like many public representatives right around the country, I have been inundated from calls from livestock farmers unable to reach the 5% reduction outlined in the BEAM scheme.

“The majority of farmers find it extremely difficult to make sense of the nitrate statements sent out to them, as well as the fact that the statements available on the agfood website are only updated monthly.

“For instance, if a scheme participant logged in at the beginning of this month – the figures up to the last day of November were available. But this won’t update again until the first couple of days of February. So in essence, farmers are trying to work off figures that are two months old at the moment.

“There is also the issue of animals moving between different age groups throughout the course of the year, which is leading to further confusion when efforts are made to come up with calculations.

“These issues have been faced by a considerable amount of farmers, hence why the majority of participants are failing to meet the requirements as they stand.

“That being said, any changes must not impact those participants who are able to meet the requirements by the original deadline,” he concluded.

Michael Fitzmaurice – 0861914565