Farmer applications for the BEEP-S suckler scheme have reached 15,256 to date, a jump of 3,769 in the last week.

Tom Canning, president of the Agricultural Consultants Association (ACA), told the Irish Farmers Journal that all ACA members are encouraging their farmers to join the new BEEP–S scheme.

He said applications have been slower than expected but he expects the scheme to be fully subscribed by the 15 May deadline.

We are experiencing difficulties registering farmers for the scheme

He added: “Many farmers mistakenly believed that because they were in the scheme in 2019, they are automatically in the scheme for 2020.”

Canning said: “We are experiencing difficulties registering farmers for the scheme through the Department’s text authorisation system. If the correct message, DAFM Y, is not sent back to the text from the Department, consultants cannot apply for the farmer.”

Joint herd numbers, partnerships and companies must submit a written authorisation to the Department’s online unit.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this unit is under severe pressure to administer the volume of written authorisations being submitted.

There is only one week left until the deadline for the scheme

He stressed that farmers should not leave applying for the scheme until the last minute.

“There is only one week left until the deadline for the scheme. Late applications will not be accepted,” said Canning.