The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has confirmed that in the region of 15,470 herds participating in the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) had “submitted valid weights” by the deadline of November 1, 2024.
According to DAFM these 15,470 herds represent some 344,143 cow/calf pairs.
The department also highlighted that there are a number of herds who submitted paper forms by the deadline and that “the details of these forms are still in the process of being input into the database”.
The number of herds participating in SCEP who have recorded eligible cow and calf weights as part of the scheme in 2024 is slightly down currently on last year’s corresponding figures.
By November 3, 2023, SCEP participants had submitted weights in respect of 354,894 cow/calf pairs.
SCEP
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, highlighted earlier this week that SCEP payments are calculated on the number of eligible forage hectares submitted by an active participant on their Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application, subject to their maximum payable area (MPA).
In response to a parliamentary question tabled by Sinn Féin’s spokesperson for agriculture and rural development, Martin Kenny, the minister said that the total MPA on which payments were made in respect of Scheme Year 1 (July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023) was “in the region of 236,102 eligible forage hectares which equates to supports being provided to some 354,153 suckler cows to 16,997 SCEP participants, with an average herd size of 21 cows”.
Minister McConalogue also confirmed that payments for scheme year 2 – July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 – will begin in December 2024.
Meanwhile DAFM has indicated that an estimated 5,300 farmers still have to complete the mandatory training under the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP).
As part of the terms and conditions of SCEP, participating farmers are required to fully complete the training course on scheme actions and livestock handling by November 15, 2024.
This course can either be completed online or through attending one of the DAFM in-person training days.
The department has warned that failure to complete the course by this deadline will render farmers ineligible to remain in the programme and monies received will have to be repaid.
Additional reporting by Breifne O’Brien