Payments commence for Year Two of the Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme
Date published:
Payments under the Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme (BCR), a key part of the Sustainable Agriculture Programme, commenced on 9 March, with 99% of eligible businesses benefitting from £19.6million in payments on the first day for 262,132 eligible animals.
This strong start to payments marks another successful milestone for the scheme, which was launched in 2024 to support the beef sector in reducing greenhouse gas emissions while improving productivity.
DAERA Minister Muir reaffirmed his support for funding sustainable farming that delivers environmental benefits.
In its second year (2025), the Scheme’s maximum age at slaughter target was 28 months. This has now reduced to 27 months for animals slaughtered in 2026; the third year of the Scheme. The Scheme will provide the farmer with funding of £75 for each eligible animal slaughtered.
Minister Muir said: “I am pleased to see payments issuing promptly under the Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme, with 99% of eligible farm businesses benefiting from £19.6million on the first day. These payments demonstrate my commitment to supporting the sector, improving environmental sustainability and recognises the efforts of Northern Ireland’s farmers to enhance productivity while contributing to reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.”
The Minister added: “Since the scheme commenced it has resulted in a 43.1 ktCO2e reduction in carbon emissions and a 177.7 tNH3-N reduction in ammonia emissions, highlighting the positive role farmers continue to play in tackling climate change.”
Payments will continue to issue to remaining farm businesses upon the completion of validations.
Registered online users of eligible farm businesses will receive their payment notification via DAERA messaging. Agents will also receive the payment notification via DAERA message on behalf of the clients they opted in.
To receive notifications by e-mail and view payment details online, farm businesses must register with either NI Direct Account (NIDA) or Government Gateway (GG) for a DAERA online account. Register for a DAERA online account.
Further information and guidance relating to the scheme.
Notes to editors:
- Payments are capped at a maximum of 352,000 animals in NI per scheme year to comply with WTO requirements.
- Kilotonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (ktCO₂e) are the standard unit for reporting greenhouse gas emissions on a carbon‑equivalent basis, while tonnes of ammonia nitrogen (tNH₃‑N) are commonly used to report ammonia emissions, expressing the mass of nitrogen contained in ammonia.
- Where a nominated agent was used to opt in customers to BCR it is still important that at least one member of all farm businesses is a registered online user so that the business can receive notifications of a new DAERA message. On receiving the first email from no-reply@daera-ni.gov.uk, it may appear in the junk folder. If so, this email address needs moved to the main inbox and/or add it to the address book to ensure DAERA communications are received.
- Registration for a DAERA online account can be completed at DAERA Online Services at: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/services/daera-online-services or call 0300 200 7840 for support to get registered, and ask to speak to Customer Services Branch.
- Contact the Payment Delivery Team for information and support on how to opt in. Farmers can email: AgriculturalandEnvironmentalSchemes@daera-ni.gov.uk or alternatively call 0300 200 7848 Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
- Full eligibility criteria for the BCR Scheme and how to sign up can be found on the DAERA website at: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/beef-carbon-reduction-scheme.
- Follow DAERA on X formerly called Twitter and Facebook.
- All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk or telephone: 028 9016 3460.
- The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours’ service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.