The Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme (BCRS) commenced in 2024 with a maximum slaughter age of 30 months and under and year two is now almost finished of a four year scheme. The 2025 target was maximum age of slaughter of 28 months and under. Year three will start in 2026 and the target is maximum slaughter age of 27 months and under. The payment for meeting this target is £75 per animal while also improving profitability, production and environmental sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Farmers only need to opt-in to the scheme once online and the UFU would encourage all cattle farmers to ensure they are opted in, so they are not missing out on potential payments. Payments are issued in March of the following year of the scheme. The UFU would advise all farmers to check on their Beef Sustainability Package Portal or agent to ensure they are opted in to the scheme. If your cattle do not meet the eligibility there is no financial penalty.
The eligibility criteria for the scheme includes meeting the maximum age of slaughter and clean cattle (not used for breeding), cattle born in NI, no statuses, slaughtered for human consumption and animals not acquired by DAERA for slaughter under disease control legislation e.g. TB. Also, to be eligible for payment, an animal must be kept within a herd for at least 60 days within the last 100 days before the slaughter date. The UFU reminds farmers that you do not have to be the farm business that slaughters the animal to be eligible for payment. Year four of the scheme is maximum age of slaughter of 26 months and under.
