Farmers can soon apply for the new €50m Beef Finisher Payment Scheme, details of which were published by the Minister last week. Here is what you need to know about the new scheme, which could see 42,000 farmers receive €100/head for eligible cattle slaughtered during the coronavirus lockdown.

What’s the reference period?

1 February 2020 to 12 June 2020.

Is there a limit to the number of animals I will get paid on?

The maximum number of animals a farmer can get paid on is 100 animals therefore the maximum payment any farmer can receive is €10,000.

I killed heifers in January, can I apply?

No, the reference period begins on 1 February 2020.

I sent cows to the factory last week, am I eligible?

No, the reference period ends on 12 June 2020.

I sold cattle to a dealer in April who slaughtered them in May, does he get the beef fund money?

Dealers are not eligible to claim from the fund.

Are dairy farmers eligible?

Yes.

Are all grades of cull cows eligible?

Yes.

Do I have to be in Bord Bia to get the money?

Applicants must be a member of the Bord Bia Beef and Lamb Quality Assurance Scheme at the time of application, or undertake to become a member of a quality scheme prior to 30 September 2020.

I’m a suckler farmer, can I apply?

You can only apply if you slaughtered cattle yourself during the reference period and meet the other criteria.

Do you have to reduce stock numbers like the BEAM scheme?

No. There is no requirement to reduce stock numbers for this scheme.

I’m a small suckler farmer who doesn’t finish cattle, but sold two cows in the mart on 20 April 2020. I have no idea who bought the cows. Does that mean I should apply just in case to be eligible for the €100/head payment?

Similar to BEAM last year, when a potential applicant logs on to their Agfood account they will be presented with the number of eligible animals they slaughtered in the reference period or which were slaughtered within 30 days of selling animals off the holding.

I exported cattle for direct slaughter to Northern Ireland in April 2020. Will these cattle qualify for the scheme payment?

Eligible cattle are those recorded on the Department’s AIM system as presented for slaughter in the reference period 1 February 2020 to 12 June 2020. Therefore animals exported live will not qualify as eligible animals for the scheme.

If those cattle were sold in the mart by the same farmer and slaughtered in NI do I still get the payment?

No. Animals slaughtered outside the State are not eligible.

How does the Department differentiate between an agent herd number, dealer herd number and farmer herd number?

The Department’s CCS systems allows for a range of different identifiers including, among others, herdowners, herdkeepers, agents and dealers. All are identified on the system and are readily distinguishable.

Why is there a need to link it to Bord Bia quality assurance?

The Department of Agriculture encourages participation in Bord Bia’s Quality Assurance schemes in order to support the quality and sustainability credentials of Irish grass-fed beef production. In excess of 51,000 herds currently have beef certificates under the Bord Bia Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme (SBLAS). The most recent data analysed indicated that the SBLAS member herds accounted for 91.4% of cattle slaughterings in 2018 nationally.

Small suckler farmers who sell weanlings or stores at marts are to be penalised by not being in the scheme as they will be ineligible. Why is this?

The scheme is intended to provide a support payment to farmers with a beef finishing enterprise, who have suffered from market disturbance arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, with a dual impact of both lower cattle prices and reduced kill. Suckler farmers who sold cull cows to the factory during the reference period and who meet the other terms are eligible for the payment.

Are environmental schemes such as GLAS acceptable assurance schemes as in the BEAM scheme last year?

No.

How do I apply?

Applications will be made online through the agfood.ie portal.

If you need help registering for www.agfood.ie, farmers can contact the AgFood registration helpdesk on 076-106 4424. You can also contact this phone number if you need help to register an agricultural consultant or Teagasc adviser to apply on your behalf.

When can I apply?

The opening date for applications will be 19 August 2020 and the closing date will be 9 September 2020.

More details will be available on www.agriculture.gov.ie/farmerschemesandpayments/BFP closer to the application date.

When will I get paid?

The Department of Agriculture has not given a payment date, but the Irish Farmers Journal understands that payment is likely to be in November this year.

Got a question you want answered about the new scheme? Email us on news@farmersjournal.ie