The Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has welcomed the significantly high number of farmers deciding to extend their GLAS and Organic Farming Scheme contracts for 2021.

Some 98% of farmers applied to extend their GLAS contracts, while 97% of farmers extended their organic contracts.

“I am pleased to see the significant numbers who are going to continue to participate in the schemes in 2021 while the new CAP is being finalised,” the Minister said.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I considered that it was important to maintain continuity during this interim period and am glad to see that so many have availed of the opportunity to extend their contracts for 2021.”

BDGP

However, just over 52% farmers in the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) have chosen to remain in the scheme for an additional year and the deadline for extension applications is 15 January.

BDGP has been mired in controversy since its inception, with many farmers taking issue with the €uroStar rating of their animals.

The programme has the highest exit rate of any recent scheme, with almost 20% of farmers dropping out up to this point.

Farmers wishing to extend their BDGP contract can do so by visiting their profile on www.agfood.ie or instructing their advisers to extend their contract on their behalf.

Read more

New BDGP criteria set out for 2021 rollover scheme

Top of £9,000 at Jalex in-calf heifer sale