Beef farmers have been receiving correspondence from DAERA outlining the ‘opt-in’ date for the new Beef Carbon Reduction (BCR) Scheme. The online process opened on Monday 15th April 2024.

DUP Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart, who is also the party’s Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Westminster spokesperson said: “The Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme was announced by DAERA at the start of the year, and will offer payment support for beef producers in Northern Ireland. It is part of the new Farm Support and Development Programme.

“Farmers are encouraged to ‘opt-in’ to the BCR Scheme, which is aimed at improving the efficiency of the local beef sector, and decreasing livestock greenhouse gas emissions, by reducing the slaughter age of finished beef cattle. Eligible farms should have claimed under the Basic Payment Scheme in 2024.”

Ms Lockhart added: “The scheme is a significant step towards helping the NI agri-sector to improve productivity and efficiency, while ensuring environmental sustainability. I would encourage beef producers to engage with DAERA to access resources, and ascertain how best to adapt on-farm practices to meet the targets required by the scheme.”

Ms Lockhart confirmed that participation in the scheme will provide beef farmers with payments of £20, £40 and £60, for eligible animals slaughtered from January to March this year. From 1st April 2024 the financial incentive will be £75 per head.

"The BCR Scheme will be implemented over a four-year period, and will see an annual reduction in the maximum slaughter age of animals. A maximum age of 30 months is applicable in 2024, reducing to 28 months in 2025, and 27 months by 2026. From 2027 onwards the maximum age at slaughter will be 26 months-of-age.”

Continuing Ms Lockhart said: ”Whilst encouraging farmers to ‘opt-in’, it is absolutely imperative that processors show they are not reducing the price of finished beef as an offset to the introduction of the new payment. This has to be a scheme that benefits farmers!"

Eligible animals – bulls, heifers and steers - must be born in Northern Ireland, and accurately recorded on NIFAIS. Cattle must be resident on the farm for at least 60 days within the last 100 days prior to slaughter, and fit for human consumption. Cattle must be slaughtered at an approved abattoir.

To ‘opt-in’ farmers must log-in to their Government Gateway or NI Direct Account. Nominated agents can complete the process on their behalf.

A farm business must meet the criteria and animal eligibility rules. The scheme runs from 1st January to 31st December, and to receive the 2024 payment, farmers must ‘opt-in’ by 31st December. Full details of the scheme can be found on the DAERA website. Further advice can be obtained from the DAERA Advisory Service helpline on 0300 200 7848.