Press release
Deadline looming for BDGP extension
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., advised today that eligible participants who had not yet engaged with his Department to indicate their interest in continuing in the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) for 2021 will be receiving an SMS text message today from his Department.
“I am pleased to see the numbers who are opting to continue to participate in the schemes in 2021 while the new CAP regulations are being finalised. I also wish to remind those participants in BDGP who have not replied to date that the deadline for their responses is 15 January 2021.”
55% of eligible participants have responded to date, and of these 98% have applied to continue in the scheme for 2021. A text message will issue today to those who have not yet responded asking if they wish to extend their BDGP participation by one year, with the option to reply ‘DAFM Y ’ (for Yes) or ‘DAFM N ’ (for No). They will have three days from receipt of the text message to reply. A text message can only issue where the Department has a valid mobile phone number on record for that farmer.
The Minister added,
“I am very aware of the importance of this scheme for the farming community. It not only provides a significant financial boost for both individual farmers and the wider rural economy with over €254 million paid out since it started 2015, but the scheme also helps reduce Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions while at the same time introducing genetic technology into the national herd thereby improving farm profitability.
Payments worth more than €37.8 million have already issued in respect of BDGP for 2020 with an average payment per participant of some €1,800. For those who are eligible to apply for the extended participation, there is very little extra effort needed in meeting the requirements for 2021.”
Note for Editors:
• Letters issued to the relevant farmers from week beginning 14th December 2020 offering them the opportunity to apply for a further year in BDGP and setting out the requirements for 2021 which are roughly the same as for 2020.
• The application process will remain open up to and including Friday15th January 2021 and the relevant information was included in the letters which issued to farmers.
• Farmers may apply by logging in to www.agfood.ie
• Any queries should be sent to the Beef Schemes Division of the Department which may be contacted at Tel. 0761 064423 or by email to BeefSchemes@agriculture.gov.ie
ENDS