IFA president Joe Healy has said the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed needs to make changes to the Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) Scheme in order to allow all eligible farmers apply for the €100m fund.

Healy believed the conditions were too restrictive and prevented farmers from applying.

He called on the Minister to reassess the following:

  • The 5% reduction in organic nitrogen.

  • The 100-head and 40-head suckler limits.

  • The restriction on dairy farmers with a beef enterprise.
  • Partnerships and farmers who exported finished cattle to Northern Ireland.

    • Healy said: “The Minister cannot let a situation develop where any of this money is left behind, considering the severe income crisis in the livestock sector.

    "Over 70,000 farmers are eligible to apply for the payment of €100 per finished animal and €40 per suckler cow.”

    IFA national livestock chair Angus Woods said any farmers who sold finished cattle in the marts also needed to make an application without delay.

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