To date payments in excess of €36m have issued to almost 20,000 participants in the Beef Data and Genomics Programme, according to the Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney.
Latest figures show that to date 25,166 have submitted some or all of the required data notifications, while 23,676 applicants have submitted some or all of the required genomic samples.
The Minster said that to the data and samples submitted in some of these cases is not sufficient to be eligible for payment at this point.
He said EU regulations require that full and comprehensive administration checks, including in some cases on farm inspections, are completed before any payment issues.
The Minster confirmed that the remaining herds are continuing to confirm compliance with the 2015 scheme requirements and payments are being made on an ongoing basis.
Meanwhile, latest Department figures show that a total of 29,865 applicants were accepted into the Beef Data and Genomics Programme, of which 4,278 have now withdrawn. Approximately 1,488 herds have not, as yet, returned their genomic samples.
However, according to Minster Coveney there is also evidence of interest in joining the scheme from farmers who missed the application deadline.
“I am keeping the question of reopening the scheme under review having regard to the budgetary availability and other demands under the Rural Development Programme,” he said.
Training
One of the compulsory measures for farmers participating in the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) is to attend a four-hour training course before October 31 next.
Courses will be rolled out across the country commencing on Monday, March 21 and all BDGP participants will be invited to attend in the coming months.
Penalties
If you complete the training after the deadline, but within six months of the deadline date, the penalty will amount to 20% of your annual payment for both years one and two.
According to Teagasc, if your annual payment is €2,000, then you stand to lose €800. If the training is not completed within six months of the deadline, the participant is removed from the programme.
The good news, however is that those of you that attend will receive €166 for doing so.