The Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has scored “a spectacular own goal” according to IFA president Joe Healy following confirmation that there would be an underspend in BEAM.
Less than €80m of the €100m available has been applied for by farmers. Healy said it was clear from the start that the way the Minister had devised the scheme would result in an underspend.
“Commissioner Hogan secured €50m for Irish farmers from the Commission and the Government promised to match it. They must make good on this promise,” he said.
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Healy said real questions had to be asked whether the Government had genuinely intended to spend all funding.
Revise
“The Minister needs to set out immediately his plans to revise and re-open the scheme. Farmers are losing €5m per week compared to the same period in 2016.
“At a time when beef farmers are losing up to €200 per animal and are on their knees financially, it is inexplicable that €20m would be left unspent due to the terms and conditions imposed on the scheme by our own Minister,” Healy said.
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The Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has scored “a spectacular own goal” according to IFA president Joe Healy following confirmation that there would be an underspend in BEAM.
Less than €80m of the €100m available has been applied for by farmers. Healy said it was clear from the start that the way the Minister had devised the scheme would result in an underspend.
“Commissioner Hogan secured €50m for Irish farmers from the Commission and the Government promised to match it. They must make good on this promise,” he said.
Healy said real questions had to be asked whether the Government had genuinely intended to spend all funding.
Revise
“The Minister needs to set out immediately his plans to revise and re-open the scheme. Farmers are losing €5m per week compared to the same period in 2016.
“At a time when beef farmers are losing up to €200 per animal and are on their knees financially, it is inexplicable that €20m would be left unspent due to the terms and conditions imposed on the scheme by our own Minister,” Healy said.
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