Reacting to the introduction of the new scheme the IFA National Livestock chair Angus Woods said the new €20m funding for suckler farmers was a recognition of the income crisis in the sector, but the level of funding was disappointing and more needed to be done to help sustain the suckler herd.

He felt it was essential that the measures under the New Beef Environmental Efficiency Pilot (BEEP) were kept simple, farmer-friendly and do not involve unnecessary costs.

Woods said the understanding is that the BEEP will be a new scheme, separate to the BDGP and the main measures will involve the recording of data on weights of cows and calves.

He also said the full details of the measures and how they will be implemented have to be worked out with the Department and it was essential that there was full consultation with farmers on this.

Payments in full

Woods said it is essential that all of the new €40 per cow suckler payments under BEEP scheme are paid in full to suckler farmers and there are no deductions.

He said Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed must ensure that this is the case.

"We as farmers are not going to tolerate others trying to get their hands on this money."

He said IFA had to fight too hard to get this money for suckler farmers.

Facilities

The IFA Livestock chair said Minister Creed needs to ensure that weighing equipment and facilities are available to all farmers under the scheme.

He said the Department needs to work out the details on how they are going to provide weighing facilities free of charge to farmers who don’t have their own scales.

Angus Woods also outlined that all suckler farmers must be able to apply for the new scheme.