Leniency is sought on BEAM reduction

AS marts edge back into online sales this week, there have been calls for Agriculture Minister, Charlie McConalogue, to show some ‘leniency and flexibility’ as regards the 5% nitrogen reduction target in the BEAM scheme.

Chairman of Tuam Livestock Mart, Stephen Canavan, told the Farming Tribune that many farmers found themselves in serious difficulty with the 5% reduction clause, and especially so now with the return of Level-5 Covid restrictions.

“We are now halfway through the reference year but with livestock sales so restricted due to Covid regulations – and with January always being a very quiet month at the marts – I am calling on the Minister to show some leniency towards farmers as regards this scheme,” said Stephen Canavan.

He said that some suckler farmers who had taken part in the scheme could now be facing into significant reductions in their herds after being ‘caught out’ with the 5% nitrogen reduction [stock numbers] clause.

“I think that it goes without saying that the scheme was badly thought out initially – and this 5% nitrogen reduction clause should never have been introduced – but even at this late stage some leniency would be a big help.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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