The future of the beef carbon reduction (BCR) scheme beyond the end of next year remains unclear.

The scheme, which pays £75/head for Northern Ireland prime cattle that hit slaughter age targets, started in 2024 for a four-year period.

“The current scheme is due to end in 2027," a DAERA spokesperson said. "In line with the policy development process, the department is monitoring the scheme outcomes which will help inform future beef sector policy.”

In the first year of the scheme, maximum age at slaughter was 30 months. This fell to 28 months in 2025, is 27 months at present and will be 26 months next year.

The key aim of the scheme is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from beef cattle by lowering the average age of slaughter in Northern Ireland.

The latest data from DAERA suggests that this has been largely achieved during the first half of the scheme.

Fall in average slaughter age

Department figures show that average slaughter age for prime cattle dropped by 14 days in the first year of BCR scheme and then fell by a further 17 days in year two.

Most recent data for 2026 indicates that average slaughter age has reduced by another seven days so far this year.

In response to an Assembly question, Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir said the BCR scheme is “providing a positive environmental impact”.

Responding to Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer, he said the scheme led to emissions reductions equivalent to 43,000t of carbon dioxide and 178t of ammonia over the first two years.

Minister Muir also pointed to the financial impact of the scheme, with £19.9m paid to 8,153 beef finishers in year one and £19.8m paid out to 7,395 businesses in year two.