Some participants in the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) were recently left confused after receiving letters stating that they were likely to receive a penalty for non-compliance.
This is despite some of the participants having all of their relevant paperwork in order.
The letter offered farmers an opportunity to appeal the non-compliance under the programme in advance of the application of the penalty.
For those participants who have submitted all of their data and genomic samples, or where an animal was stillborn or died at less than five months old, no further action is required, the department confirmed.
Any payment due will be issued in the next three weeks, subject to compliance with the other requirements of the programme, it added.
The BDGP scheme forms a part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014-2020; it involves funding of €300 million over the six-year programme.
The aim of the programme is to address the weaknesses in the maternal genetics of the Irish suckler herd, make a positive contribution to farmer profitability and to reduce the greenhouse gas intensity of Ireland’s beef production.
Over 530,000 cows, owned by 24,500 suckler farmers, are enrolled in the first tranche of the BDGP scheme, according to figures released by the IFA.
BDGP scheme reopened
Earlier this year, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, decided to reopen the BDGP scheme for applications.
The scheme is set to require farmers to complete largely the same actions as in the original BDGP over the course of six years, starting in 2017 and concluding in 2022. There will be a small change to the timing of the training and carbon navigator requirements.
This will mean that a payment of €142.50/ha will be issued for the first 6.66 payable hectares under the scheme. Following this, a €120 payment will be issued per payable hectare after that.