Almost 3,000 farmers are facing millions of euros in penalties for missing a Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) target.
The Department of Agriculture has written to 2,862 farmers, warning them that they are on track to miss the requirement to have a certain percentage of four and five €uro-star replacement heifers or cows in their herd by 30 October 2020.
For missing the replacement female target, farmers face a clawback per year, plus and additional 20% penalty. A farmer in the scheme since 2015 would incur an average penalty of €2,119 in 2020.
For missing the replacement female target, farmers face a clawback per year, plus and additional 20% penalty
Last November, the Department issued a similar letter, warning 2,997 farmers that they would miss the target. The miniscule change in figures since then indicates that farmers appear unwilling to meet the target.
If farmers persist in failing to meet the scheme requirements, the overall penalty could reach in excess of €6m.
The Department has maintained that the scheme has added value to the national suckler herd.
“The Irish Cattle and Breeding Federation (ICBF) has calculated that across our national suckler beef herd, BDGP has already resulted in genetic gains that have been worth some €60m and this figure continues to grow,” the Department said.
This lack of confidence in BDGP was reinforced last year, when 999 farmers had their payments reduced by €746,547, rather than meet their stock bull requirement
However, almost one-third of farmers have dropped out since the scheme’s inception, leaving fewer than 23,000 farmers in the scheme.
This lack of confidence in BDGP was reinforced last year, when 999 farmers had their payments reduced by €746,547, rather than meet their stock bull requirement.
The Department suggested in its letter that farmers should now try to buy replacement females to meet the €uro-star requirement.
In addition, the Department of Agriculture told the Irish Farmers Journal that the deadline of 30 October would not be extended due to COVID-19 related mart closures to allow farmers additional time to purchase eligible stock.
A spokesperson said penalty money from the scheme would be returned to other schemes in the Rural Development Programme.
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Almost 3,000 farmers are facing millions of euros in penalties for missing a Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) target.
The Department of Agriculture has written to 2,862 farmers, warning them that they are on track to miss the requirement to have a certain percentage of four and five €uro-star replacement heifers or cows in their herd by 30 October 2020.
For missing the replacement female target, farmers face a clawback per year, plus and additional 20% penalty. A farmer in the scheme since 2015 would incur an average penalty of €2,119 in 2020.
For missing the replacement female target, farmers face a clawback per year, plus and additional 20% penalty
Last November, the Department issued a similar letter, warning 2,997 farmers that they would miss the target. The miniscule change in figures since then indicates that farmers appear unwilling to meet the target.
If farmers persist in failing to meet the scheme requirements, the overall penalty could reach in excess of €6m.
The Department has maintained that the scheme has added value to the national suckler herd.
“The Irish Cattle and Breeding Federation (ICBF) has calculated that across our national suckler beef herd, BDGP has already resulted in genetic gains that have been worth some €60m and this figure continues to grow,” the Department said.
This lack of confidence in BDGP was reinforced last year, when 999 farmers had their payments reduced by €746,547, rather than meet their stock bull requirement
However, almost one-third of farmers have dropped out since the scheme’s inception, leaving fewer than 23,000 farmers in the scheme.
This lack of confidence in BDGP was reinforced last year, when 999 farmers had their payments reduced by €746,547, rather than meet their stock bull requirement.
The Department suggested in its letter that farmers should now try to buy replacement females to meet the €uro-star requirement.
In addition, the Department of Agriculture told the Irish Farmers Journal that the deadline of 30 October would not be extended due to COVID-19 related mart closures to allow farmers additional time to purchase eligible stock.
A spokesperson said penalty money from the scheme would be returned to other schemes in the Rural Development Programme.
Read more
Farm plastic collections to resume next week
Beef management: BEAM stock reduction, BDGP deadlines and sore teats
Allowances must be made for BDGP farmers – ICSA
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