Beef farmers in Northern Ireland are being reminded that they must ‘opt-in’ to the Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme (BCR) on or before the December 31 deadline.
The scheme, announced by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) at the start of the year, offers payment support for beef producers in Northern Ireland.
The online scheme opened on April 15 and is part of the new Farm Support and Development Programme.
Scheme
The DUP’s Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Westminster spokesperson and Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart said that failing to register for the scheme will result in missed payments for eligible animals slaughtered this year.
“It is aimed at improving the efficiency of the local beef sector by reducing the slaughter age of finished beef cattle. Eligible farms should have claimed under the Basic Payment Scheme in 2024.
“The scheme is a significant step towards helping the NI agri-food sector to improve productivity and efficiency, while ensuring environmental sustainability.
“I would urge beef producers to engage with DAERA to access resources, and ascertain how best to adapt on-farm practices to meet the targets required by the scheme,” she said.
The MP stressed that it is “absolutely imperative that processors show they are not reducing the price of finished beef as an offset to the introduction of the new payment”, adding that “this has to be a scheme that benefits farmers”.
Lockhart also said that the BCR scheme needs to be accessible to all eligible beef farmers.
“The BCR scheme, like many other applications and payments has moved to DAERA’s online portal. Farmers must ‘opt-in’ online, and while this process is deemed to be quick and simple, the system isn’t suitable for all eligible farm businesses.
“DAERA’s recent decision to switch to digital communication with farmers was made without any prior consultation.
“Moving away from paper communication presents significant challenges for thousands of local farmers, especially those living in rural areas, and others who are older and have no access to the internet, computers or smart phones.
“It is impractical and very unfair that DAERA expects the more senior members of our society to comply with its new digital communication platform.
“The latest move means that one member of every farm business must set up a Government Gateway account and email address in order to receive regular correspondence.
“This system isn’t sensible or ‘farmer friendly’, as numerous farmers have no computer literacy skills, or experience of online applications and emails,” she said.
The MP is urging DAERA Minister Andrew Muir and his department to “re-think this decision” to move to digital communication with farmers.
“Farmers should be given the opportunity to continue to receive written correspondence if desired.
“Forcing this transition will cause mental stress and disadvantage farmers and their businesses,” Lockhart added.
