How do I opt in for the SC Scheme?
To participate in the Scheme, you must be a registered online user to opt in online. Alternatively, an agent or authorised person can do this on your behalf.
You must opt in for the Scheme online at Beef Sustainability Package.
You must have a Government Gateway (GG) or NIDirect account (NIDA) logon. Further information on how to register for a logon is available Registering for Government Gateway (GG) and NIDA accounts.
Once you have logged on using your GG or NIDA logon you must confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to the Scheme terms and conditions when you opt in.
If you do not wish to complete the online opt-in yourself, you can nominate another person (Agent) to do so on your behalf. If you have already nominated another person to submit a Single Application on your behalf they will automatically be able to opt in to the Scheme for you. For further information on how to nominate another person to opt in on your behalf contact us on 0300 200 7848.
To view details on your business you must register for an online DAERA account with either NIDA or Government Gateway so you can continue to receive your communications from DAERA. Even if you use an agent it is important that at least one member of your business is a registered online user so that your business can continue to receive notifications of a new DAERA message.
Remember, you only need to opt in once to the Scheme from 2025. You do not need to opt in every year. You do not need to submit a claim for Scheme payment each year. If you have opted in you will receive a payment each year thereafter as long as you have met the eligibility conditions in that year.
You can opt in to the Scheme at any time. However, you must have opted in between 1 April and 31 March to receive a payment for the current Scheme year. This opt in will cover you for all subsequent scheme years, provided you continue to meet the applicable eligibility conditions.
You can opt out of the Scheme at any time. If you opt out you will not receive a financial penalty, however you will also not receive a payment for the Scheme year you opt out or subsequent years unless you opt back in.
If you have opted out, you can opt back in again at any time. If you opt in again you will not receive a financial penalty, however you will only receive a payment from the year in which you have opted back in.
Example 1 – Standard opt-in
You opt in to the Scheme in 2025. You have eligible calving events in Scheme year 2025 - 2026 and/or each subsequent year. You will receive payment for 2025 - 2026, 2026 - 2027 and onwards.
Example 2 – Break in suckler cow production
You opt in to the Scheme in 2025. You have eligible calving events in Scheme years 2025 - 2026 and 2027 - 2028, but not in Scheme years 2026 - 2027 or 2028 - 2029. You will receive a payment for 2025 - 2026 and 2027 - 2028. You will not receive a payment for 2026 - 2027 or 2028 - 2029.
Example 3 – Late opt-in
You opt in to the Scheme on 1 June 2026. You have had eligible calving events in Scheme year 2025 - 2026 and in each subsequent Scheme year. You will receive payment for 2026 - 2027, 2027 - 2028 and 2028 - 2029. You will not receive payment for 2025 - 2026.
Example 4 – Opt in, Opt out
You opt in to the Scheme on 1 April 2025. You then opt out on 1 June 2025. On 1 May 2026 you opt back in to the Scheme. If you have eligible calving events each Scheme year, you will receive payment for 2026 - 2027, 2027 - 2028 and 2028 - 2029. You will not receive payment for 2025 - 2026.
Once you have opted in to the Scheme you will be able to check the number of eligible calving events recorded against your business at a later date by logging into the Suckler Cow Scheme portal.
You are not required to know if you are eligible for Scheme payments before you opt in. We will consider your eligibility after you opt in. If we determine that you are not eligible, you will not receive a financial penalty.
Alternative application methods are available for customers unable to opt in online (please contact us on 0300 200 7840 for further information on alternative methods).