Farmers should apply for €50m fund for beef finishers as soon as possible

IFA national livestock chair Brendan Golden is encouraging farmers to apply for the Beef Finisher Payment Scheme without delay.

The IFA has created a dedicated step-by-step guide for farmers who wish to apply for the scheme.

The Department of Agriculture opened the beef finisher scheme on 19 August and will close it on Wednesday, 9 September. Full details are available here.

Brendan Golden said it is crucial that the money gets out to farmers as soon as possible and that the full €50m is spent.

“There should be a provision to increase the payment per animal if there is any underspend, or to bring exported animals, which are currently excluded. We cannot leave any of the money behind,” he said.

“The scheme will apply to farmers who had cattle slaughtered between 1 February and 12 June. It’s expected the payment will be in the region of €100 per head. This will be a significant boost for the autumn cattle trade,” he said.

Disruption

In June, a total of €50m was announced in recognition of the difficulties that beef finishers had endured because of Brexit and COVID-19 disruption.

If farmers have any queries in relation to the scheme, they can visit our dedicated hub or contact Anna Daly on annadaly@ifa.ie or by calling 01-426 0340.

National livestock committee elects Laois farmer as new vice-chair

Declan Hanrahan has been elected vice-chair of the IFA national livestock committee.

A suckler and beef farmer from Borris-in-Ossory, Co Laois, he is the livestock representative for the county. In keeping with Government guidelines for COVID-19, a postal ballot of the committee members was held. It was the second election held in recent months by postal ballot.

The key priority for the committee is to secure a fair price for beef farmers that reflects their work and investment

Keith O’Boyle was elected chair of the national liquid milk committee. Declan Hanrahan succeeds Brendan Golden, who is now the chair of the national livestock committee.

“I’m looking forward to working with the chair on the many issues facing beef farmers. The key priority for the committee is to secure a fair price for beef farmers that reflects their work and investment. The shape of the next CAP will also be very important, as it has to recognise the income difficulties in the sector,” Declan said.

As vice-chair of the national livestock committee, Declan Hanrahan will attend meetings of the IFA national council to represent beef farmers.