The Ulster Farmers’ Union is urging beef farmers to be aware of requirements for the Beef Carbon Reduction (BCR) scheme, as they may be eligible.
To be eligible for a BCR payment, an animal must have been kept within a herd associated to the farm business (on NIFAIS), for at least 60 days (continuously), within the last 100 days before the slaughter date. Farmers should be aware that even if they didn’t slaughter the animal, they could still be eligible for payment if they kept the animal within their herd for at least 60 days within the last 100 days before slaughter.
- Opt in
It’s vital that all eligible farmers make sure they opt in to the BCR scheme, which is part of the Beef Sustainability package. Currently, a third of beef farm businesses in NI who are eligible for the scheme have not opted in and the deadline to do so is 31 December 2024.
The BCR Scheme opened on 1 January 2024. BCR works on scheme years, with one payment per scheme year. Each scheme year will run from 1 January to 31 December. Payment rate is £75 per animal and the 2024 year is 30 months and under.
- How to opt in?
To receive BCR payments, your business must opt-in to the scheme online. You can do this by clicking here.
To be able to opt in, you will be asked to sign in using your GOV.UK Government Gateway or Northern Ireland Identity Assurance (NIDA) details.
You only need to opt-in once from 2024.
Once you have opted in, you will receive a message through DAERA messaging service confirming this.
If you need more information on the scheme, eligibility etc., click here.
