DAERA Minister is reminding farm businesses
that time is running out to opt in to the Beef Carbon Reduction
(BCR) Scheme to receive payment for eligible animals slaughtered
in 2024.
Failure to opt in by 31 December 2024 will result in eligible
farm businesses missing out on a 2024 payment. If a farm business
opts in and does not meet the eligibility conditions or have any
eligible animals in that scheme year, no penalties will apply.
Minister Muir said: “On the 11 April, I announced the
opening of the online opt in for the Beef Carbon Reduction
Scheme. The scheme will contribute to improving the productivity
of the beef sector and reducing greenhouse gas
emissions.
“I am calling on farm businesses which have yet to opt in
to the Scheme, to do so by the 31 December, to ensure payment for
eligible animals slaughtered in 2024. Those farm businesses
who sold eligible cattle through a livestock market but had kept
the cattle for 60 days during the 100 days immediately prior to
slaughter should also opt in as they may be eligible for payment
on these animals”
The BCR Scheme, which was introduced by the Department at the
start of the year, is a new payment 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, thereby contributing to meeting the
targets set by the Climate Change Act (NI) 2022.
Farm businesses, or their Authorised Persons, must opt into the
scheme online and can do so now via the DAERA website
at: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/how-do-i-opt-bcr.
The opt in process is quick and simple, requiring only a tick-box
to be completed. Once opted in, the farm business will receive a
BCR payment each year thereafter, provided it meets the
eligibility requirements in each year.
Communications of the opt in status of this Scheme are delivered
through DAERA Messaging to farm businesses and their Authorised
Persons (if applicable). Notification of new DAERA messages
will be sent to the DAERA registered account holder(s) via
e-mail. Farmers are encouraged to ensure the e-mail address held
for them is up to date and to check their e-mails regularly for
communications from DAERA Area-based Schemes.
Full details of the BCR Scheme, including business and animal
eligibility rules, are available to view on the DAERA
webpage: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/beef-carbon-reduction-scheme.
Notes to editors:
- The BCR 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 1 April 2024 the scheme
will provide the farmer with funding of £75 for each eligible
animal slaughtered.
- Payments are capped at a maximum of 352,000 animals in NI per
scheme year.
- The Advisory Service can be contacted Monday to Friday from
9.00 am to 5.00pm on 0300 200 7848, for help and
guidance on how to opt in. Farmers can also
e-mail: areabasedschemes@daera-ni.gov.uk.
- An agent or trusted person may be nominated by farmers to
complete the application on their behalf. Forms to nominate an
Authorised Person can be downloaded from www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/how-apply.
For nominated persons that have Single Application permissions,
Beef Carbon Reduction permissions will also be given.
