Successful first year for the Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme
Date published:
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has highlighted the effectiveness of the Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving productivity in its first year.
The scheme has benefitted approximately 8,000 eligible farm businesses with around £19.8 million in financial support in its inaugural year.
The Minister re-iterated his commitment to investing in environmental farming practices and rewarding farmers for providing environmental benefits alongside food production.
Designed to address the beef sector's unique challenges, the BCR scheme focuses on increasing productivity and improving environmental sustainability. The scheme is being implemented over a four-year period and incentivises a progressive reduction in the age at slaughter each year.
In the first year (2024), the maximum age at slaughter target was 30 months. In the second year of the scheme, this has now reduced to 28 months for animals slaughtered during 2025.
Minister Muir said: “I am glad to see 8,000 (98%) eligible farm businesses opting into the Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme which is supporting both a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and enhanced productivity."
Payments will continue to issue to remaining farm businesses upon the completion of validations.
The Minister added: “These payments demonstrate my commitment to supporting our farmers to enhance productivity whilst improving environmental sustainability in Northern Ireland.”
Registered online users of eligible farm businesses will receive their payment notification via DAERA messaging. Agents will 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 or Government Gateway for a DAERA online account. Registration for a DAERA online account can be completed at DAERA Online Services or call 0300 200 7848 for support to get registered and ask to speak to the Single Application Team.
Notes to editors:
- Payments are capped at a maximum of 352,000 animals in NI per scheme year.
- Where an 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.
- To receive notifications by e-mail and view payment details online, farm businesses must register with either NI Direct Account or Government Gateway for a DAERA online account. Registration for a DAERA online account can be completed at DAERA Online Services or call 0300 200 7848 for support to get registered and ask to speak to the Single Application Team.
- The Advisory Service can be contacted on 0300 200 7848, for help and guidance on how to opt in. Farmers can also email: areabasedschemes@daera-ni.gov.uk. Advisors will be ready to help Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.
- Full eligibility criteria for the BCR Scheme and how to sign up can be found on the DAERA website.
- Follow DAERA on X 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.