The Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine today announced that his Department intended to commence payments under the BDGP in December to herds who have met their 2016 requirements. “I am delighted that payments are on target to commence in December under the Beef Data and Genomics Programme. The commencement of these payments will ensure that vital funding is injected into the beef sector before the end of the year.” The BDGP is an innovative programme introduced as part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme which will benefit 24,000 Irish suckler farmers during the course of the programme’s six year term.

The Minister stated that in order to be eligible to receive payment in December all surveys in relation to animals born between 1 July 2015 and 30 June 2016 must be completed and returned to the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) by 7th December and that all genotyping test kits must be submitted to the relevant laboratories by that date also. In addition for 2016 BDGP participants must complete a carbon navigator before 30 November 2016 “I strongly urge all BDGP participants to return all surveys and genotyping samples, and to arrange with their advisor to complete the carbon navigator, in order to receive payment in December”. The Minister continued “In the event that requirements have not been met within the specified timeframe, payments will continue to be made in the New Year as herds continue to satisfy scheme requirements”.

View this Press Release as a PDF: DAFMPR 173/2016 (pdf 364Kb) 

Date Released: 28 November 2016