A key eligibility requirement of the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) is that participants calve at least 50% of their yearly reference number in each year of the programme.

Failure to do so could result in a participant being removed from the scheme and a clawback of any monies received under the programme.

As such, it is vital that farmers take the time to ensure that they are on track to satisfy this requirement. The period taken into account for this requirement is not the calendar period and instead is from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026.

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Farm example

The below example outlines a simple scenario where a farmer could fail to satisfy the requirements.

Take a farmer with a reference number set as 10 for 2026. If that farmer only has four calves born by 30 June 2026, then he or she will fail to satisfy the 50% requirement and risks removal.

The option available to this farmer now is either to purchase animals which will calve down on the farm before 30 June 2026 or reduce their reference number to eight for the 2026 scheme year.

If the farmer subsequently is in line to have at least five calves born in the next scheme year (ie 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027), they can increase their reference number when the amendment facility opens in 2027.

Yes, the farmer will receive a lower payment for the 2026 scheme year, but, critically, they will not risk removal and a clawback of all payments received to date under SCEP.

Amendment facility

The window to amend 2026 yearly reference numbers opened on 22 January 2026 and will remain open until 11.59pm on 12 February 2026.

Where a participant does not wish to amend their 2026 yearly reference number from their 2025 yearly reference number, then no action is required. Their 2025 yearly reference number will automatically roll over to 2026, if no amendment is submitted.

Participants can reduce their 2026 yearly reference number by up to 20% of their 2025 yearly reference number.

Alternatively, participants can increase their 2026 yearly reference number by any number back up to their programme reference number set at application stage, where the farmer or their FAS adviser had amended their yearly reference number in 2023, 2024 or 2025.

Minister’s announcement

In announcing the opening of the facility, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon said: “I am pleased to advise that the facility is now open for SCEP participants to amend their 2026 yearly reference number on their Agfood account.

"This flexibility supports famers who wish to alter their commitments under the programme requirements to meet their individual needs or changing circumstances.”

Knock-on effects

The Department also reminded participants in the announcement that any changes made to the 2026 yearly reference number (either increases or decreases) will have an associated impact on the requirements or actions to be carried out by the participant and on the maximum payment that the participant will be eligible to draw down later in 2026.

Once an application to amend the 2026 yearly reference number is submitted online, no amendments can be made.

“To avail of the maximum payment in 2026, participants must have at least enough determined eligible forage hectares under their 2026 BISS application to match their 2026 maximum payable area and ensure that they are fully compliant with all the eligibility requirements and actions under the programme.”