The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 19 Jan, 2020

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Agriculture

Period 1 Sep, 2019 to 31 Dec, 2019

Specific Details Beef Emergency Aid Measure (BEAM) - Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1132 - Unspent Funding

Intended results That in line with the flexibility under the terms and conditions under section 5.2, section 22 and 23 of the scheme, the payment rates of €100 per finished animal and €40 per suckler cow be increased proportionality so as to utilise the full €100m in funding. It is important to note that even with these adjustments, farmers would still be well short of full compensation for the cattle price losses they have incurred. To highlight that it is unacceptable that €25m remains unspent udner the BEAM scheme. That BEAM payments go to the farmers who sold finished cattle in the marts regardless of who purchased these animals. It is unacceptable that payment to famers who sold finished animals in the marts is restricted to cases where these animals were purchased by agents and dealers only. Regardless of who purchased these animals, the original farmer who had the animals, fed the animals and incurred the losses, must receive the compensation. That cattle that were exported to Northern and slaughtered directly (without further feeding) are entitled to BEAM compensation. There were a significant number of animals that fall into this category especially from farmers in the boarder counties. That farmers operating in partnerships should not be discriminated against under the BEAM scheme and should be eligible for payments as if they were operating separately in terms of 2 herd numbers with the full limits applying to both herd numbers. That the Minister and the Department of Agriculture make a case to Brussels and DPER (Dept for Public Expenditure and Reform) for additional BEAM funding for cattle sold since May 12th. These animals have suffered similar type losses as those pre May 12th. IFA estimate that the losses are in the order of €180m - €200m. To ask the Minsiter to make this case in Brussels at the December Farm Council meeting.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Joe Healy IFA President, Angus Woods IFA Livestock Chairman, Kevin Kinsella IFA Director of Lvestock

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (2-5)

Meeting (2-5)

Social Media (6-10)

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Sinead McPhillips Assistant Secretary (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Michael Creed Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Áine Kilroy Special Advisor (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Jonathan Hoare Special Adviser (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Paul Dillon Assistant Secretary (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Jackie Cahill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Pat Deering TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Charlie McConalogue TD (Dáil Éireann, the Lower House of the Oireachtas)

Willie Penrose TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Thomas Pringle TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Brian Stanley TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Rose Conway-Walsh Senator (Seanad)

Paul Daly Senator (Seanad)

Tim Lombard Senator (Seanad)

Michelle Mulherin Senator (Seanad)