Farmers Have Been Urged to Opt into the Latest Phase of the Beef
Carbon Reduction Bcr) Scheme.
The Bcr Scheme Is a Key Part of the Sustainable Agriculture
Programme and It Encourages Farm Businesses to Reduce the Age at
Slaughter of Clean Beef Animals to Improve Efficiency and Reduce
Livestock Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
During 2024 over 8,000 Farm Businesses Across Northern Ireland
Received Approximately £19.8 Million Funding, to Boost
Environmental Sustainability and Enhance Productivity.
Daera Minister Muir Said: I Encourage All Farm Businesses
Who Have yet to Opt in to the Scheme to Do so by 31 December, to
Secure Payment for Animals Eligible in 2025. My Department,
Stands Ready to Provide Information and Support About the Scheme
or the Opt in Process.
The Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme Is a Vital Part of the
Sustainable Agriculture Programme Supporting Farm Businesses to
Lower the Carbon Footprint of Their Herds and Achieve Improved
Productivity,” He Added.
Farm Businesses, or Their Authorised Persons, Can Opt into the
Scheme Online Now via the Daera Website At: Https://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 the Applicant Has Logged in. Once Opted
In, Businesses Will Receive a Bcr Payment Each Year Thereafter,
Provided Eligibility Requirements Are Met. Businesses Only Need
to Opt in Once for Bcr, Those Businesses Already Opted into the
Scheme During 2024 Do Not Have to Opt in Again. Once Opted In,
Farm Businesses And Their Authorised Persons) Can Check the Beef
Sustainability Portal to View the Status of Their Cattle to
Confirm If a Slaughtered Animal Will Be Eligible for Payment.
They Can Also Check If Live Cattle Are Approaching the Maximum
Age of Slaughter in That Scheme Year.
Farmers Should Be Reassured That Opting in Does Not Incur
Penalties If Eligibility Conditions Are Not Met or If There Are
No Eligible Animals in a Given Year. Those Who Sold Eligible
Cattle Through a Livestock Market but Kept the Cattle for 60 Days
During the 100 Days Prior to Slaughter May Also Be Eligible for
Payment and Should Opt in.
Communications About Scheme Status Are Delivered Through Daera
Messaging to Farm Businesses and Their Authorised Persons. Please
Ensure Your Email Address Is up to Date and Check Regularly for
Communications from Daera Agricultural & Environmental
Schemes.
Full Details of the Bcr Scheme, Including Business and Animal
Eligibility Rules, Are Available At: Https://www.Daera-ni.Gov.Uk/articles/beef-carbon-reduction-scheme.
Notes to Editors:
- The Bcr Scheme Was Implemented in 2024, over a Four-year
Period to Incentivise a Progressive Reduction in the Maximum Age
at Slaughter Each Year. The Maximum Target Age at Slaughter for
Clean Beef Cattle for 2025 Is 28 Months; This Will Reduce to 27
Months for 2026. 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.
- Farmers Can Contact Payment Delivery Branch via E-mail At:
Agriculturalandenvironmentalschemes@daera-ni.Gov.Uk.
They Can Also Call Monday to Friday from 9.00 Am to 5.Pm
On 0300 200 7848, for Information and Support on How to
Opt in.
- 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: Https://www.Daera-ni.Gov.Uk/articles/how-applyFor
Nominated Persons That Have Single Application Permissions,
Beef Carbon Reduction Permissions Will Also Be Given.
- To Access Daera Messaging for Current and Future
Communications Farm Business Members Must Register for a Daera
Online Account by Registering First for Ni Direct or Government
Gateway. Assistance for Registration Is Available from Daera by
Calling 0300 200 7840.
- Farmers Can Also Opt in to Receive Emails and Sms Text
Messages to Keep up to Date with Scheme News and Reminders on Key
Dates.To Do So, Farmers Should Update Their Preferences on the
Personal Details' Page of Their Daera Online Services Account,
Ensuring Their Email and Mobile Are up to Date. Daera Online Services Can Be
Accessed Here.
