Macra na Feirme has welcomed the reopening of the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) and the provision for new entrant young suckler farmers who have started farming since the 2014 reference year.

Speaking this week, Macra na Feirme national president Seán Finan said: “We are delighted that Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has considered the needs of new entrant young suckler farmers in BDGP II and that they will be allowed to participate in the scheme. The mandatory CAP young farmer measures have resulted in a substantial number of young farmers beginning their farming careers in the last two years with a significant proportion of them entering suckler beef production.”

Finan concluded: “Young farmers are willing to embrace technology and innovation to improve their livelihoods while addressing the climate change challenges we face. The BDGP programme advocates for best practices in animal breeding and we encourage young suckler farmers to apply for the scheme before the 8 May deadline.”