IFA Livestock Chairman Brendan Golden has welcomed the issuing of BDGP payments to farmers this week.
He said the number of farmers who met the key 50% female replacement requirement of 4- or 5-star animals is important.
“It reflects the work of farmers, the Department of Agriculture and ICBF in ensuring monies received by farmers in the scheme to-date was protected,” he said.
Brendan Golden said meaningful levels of direct supports for suckler farmers are a critical part of the sustainability of the sector.
“The rollover of this scheme for the CAP transition period will provide the basis to build on direct supports to suckler farmers,” he said.
He said IFA is pursuing flexibilities with the Department of Agriculture for farmers who are within one animal of meeting the 90% compliance level for the female replacement rate of 50%, to significantly reduce the penalties on these farmers.
