Jim Power identified farmer frustration about not getting any of the 12c/kg QA bonus even if they met four of the five key specification requirements.

The quality assurance (QA) scheme was identified as deserving at least some bonus in recognition of the demands on farmers to join and comply with membership conditions.

The report recommended that some bonus be given to all animals from a QA herd, even if they don’t meet other specification requirements.

The IFA-commissioned report also recommended a review of the 12c/kg bonus being solely for under 30-month animals, proposing a more graduated or tiered structure to encourage earlier slaughter of animals.