Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Dara Calleary has announced the opening of the Beef Finishers Payment (BFP) today (Wednesday, August 19).

The scheme is a once-off, exchequer-funded grant aid scheme under the Covid-19 State Aid Temporary Framework with funding totaling €50 million.

Also Read: Details of €50 million Beef Finishers Payment revealed

The objective of the BFP is to “provide support for beef finishing farms in Ireland which have been severely impacted by the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic”.

The minister commented: “This support aims to provide a valuable income support and mitigate the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic for those farmers who finished cattle during the period from February 1 to June 12, 2020.

Beef farming is an important economic activity, with a significant multiplier effect in local rural communities, and thus is more important than ever in sustaining these communities.

“This scheme has been designed to make the application process as user-friendly and accessible as possible for farmers and I urge any farmer who is eligible for a payment to apply without delay.”

Details Of Payment

The details of the BFP were announced on Wednesday, August 5.

An estimated 42,000 farmers are eligible to apply.

This projection is based on the number of cattle sent for slaughter in the period from Saturday, February 1, to Friday, June 12, 2020 – subject to a limit of 100 animals per herd.

Based on estimates of eligible animals, a rate in the region of €100 per animal will be payable.

Applications must be made online and the application window will remain open until Wednesday, September 9. Payments will be made in November.