Farmers can now opt-in for Beef Carbon payments
ASERIES of meetings have been held across Northern Ireland to explain the details of the Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme. This scheme provides payment support for beef farmers and became operative from January 1.
In recent weeks, Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir said the opening of opt-in to the Beef Carbon Reduction (BCR) scheme was a significant milestone in supporting the farming sector in its move towards greater environmental sustainability.
He announced the opening of the online system where farmers can opt their farm business in to the new BCR scheme.
The scheme – which was introduced by the Department at the start of the year – is a new payment support scheme for beef farmers in Northern Ireland.
It encourages farm businesses to reduce the slaughter age of clean finished beef cattle to improve the efficiency of the local beef sector and reduce livestock Greenhouse Gas emissions.
The scheme is being implemented initially over a four-year period and will incentivise a progressive reduction in the age at slaughter each year.
Payments of £20, £40 and £60 will be made for eligible animals slaughtered in January, February and March of this year respectively.
From April 1, the scheme provides the farmer with funding of £75 for each eligible animal slaughtered.
Announcing the opening of the opt-in system, Minister Muir said: “I am delighted to announce the opening of the online opt-in for the Beef Carbon Reduction scheme.
“This is the opening of a major scheme under the new Farm Support and Development Programme and marks a significant milestone as we work towards supporting our farming sector to improve productivity whilst enhancing environmental sustainability in Northern Ireland.
“My Department is committed to supporting more environmentallysustainable farming practices that benefit our climate and environment, whilst providing clear incentives to drive better resource efficiency within our agricultural sector, which plays such a significant role in our local economy, society and ensuring our food security.
“This innovative approach signals a shift in how we deliver support to decarbonise and protect our environment, thereby contributing to meeting the targets set by the Climate Change Act (NI) 2022.
“I would encourage farmers to engage with the Department on how best to adapt their on-farm practices to meet the targets set for the scheme, and contribute to a more environmentally-sustainable and productive sector.”
Eligible farm businesses must opt-in to the scheme to receive payment, and have been able to do so since April 15 via the DAERA website.
The business only needs to opt-in once for BCR from 2024.
If the business has opted-in, they will receive a BCR payment each year thereafter, provided they meet the eligibility conditions in that year.
Businesses must be eligible to claim Basic Payment Scheme in 2024, or its replacement, from 2025 onwards to avail of the BCR scheme.
If farm businesses opt-in and do not have any eligible animals in that scheme year, no penalties will apply.
Full details of the scheme, including business and animal eligibility rules, are available to view on the DAERA website.
There is a video providing step by step instructions on how to opt-in.
If farmers require further help or guidance with an application, they should call DAERA’S Advisory Service helpline on 0300 200 7848, or email, areabasedschemes@daera-ni. gov.uk.
Farmers are encouraged to ensure the email address held for them is up to date, and to check their emails regularly for communications from DAERA area-based schemes.
A series of BCR scheme information meetings have been organised by the CAFRE Knowledge Advisory Service to make farmers aware of the details of the scheme, the eligibility criteria, how to apply and highlight management practices that will enable farmers to achieve scheme targets.
Payments are capped at a maximum of 352,000 animals in Northern Ireland per scheme year.
Applicants to the BCR scheme will receive confirmation from DAERA that their opt-in is complete via their Government Gateway or NI Direct Account.
Across Northern Ireland
THE BCR scheme which was introduced on January 1 is a key element of DAERA’S Farm Support and Development Programme and aims to improve the efficiency and environmental sustainability of Northern Ireland beef production.
The scheme objective is to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions and the carbon footprint of beef production by encouraging the slaughter of cattle at an earlier age.
The payment rate for the scheme has been set at £75 per eligible animal slaughtered from April 1, 2024 –December 31, 2027, with phased payments in 2024 at the start of the scheme of £20 per eligible animal for January, £40 for February, and £60 for March.
A series of BCR scheme information meetings were organised by the CAFRE Knowledge Advisory Service to make farmers aware of the details of the scheme, the eligibility criteria and how to apply.
The meetings, which have been running since late March, also highlight steps farmers can take to ensure the maximum number of finished cattle meet the age at slaughter targets and at the same time reduce cost, increase profit and reduce their carbon footprint.
The final meeting takes place at 7.30pm tonight (Thursday, April 23) at Millbrook Lodge Hotel, Ballynahinch, with previous local meetings having included the Silver Birch Hotel, Omagh on March 28, and Enniskillen Campus on April 9.