DAERA should retain beef schemes, says NIMEA
The NI meat industry has called on DAERA to keep in place two beef schemes beyond the current four-year timeframe.
The Beef Carbon Reduction (BCR) scheme is currently in its third year, while the second year of a Suckler Cow scheme began on 1 April 2026.
“We want the department to continue those for we certainly believe that they are having an impact on greenhouse gas reductions etc,” said the chief executive of the NI Meat Exporters’ Association (NIMEA), Daryl McLaughlin.
“From an environmental and sustainability point of view, we certainly feel they are doing what they’ve set out to do.”
Sheep scheme
Briefing MLAs on the Stormont Agriculture committee last Thursday, McLaughlin joined those calling for a sheep scheme to be introduced.
He also said NIMEA supported attempts to re-introduce Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) payments for marginal land. “However, we do take the same position as the Ulster Farmers’ Union that we believe money for that [ANC scheme] should be found outside of the ring-fenced agriculture support budget,” he said.
Small uptake for Lakeland fixed-price milk scheme
It is understood that only a small number of Lakeland suppliers in NI have signed up to the latest fixed price offering from the co-op.
The one-year scheme, which was open to applications until 4pm last Friday 27 March, offered farmers a base price of 32p/l from April to September, rising to 34p/l for October through to next March.
That base price is inclusive of the co-ops 0.5p sustainability bonus, but before normal adjustments for milk quality, volume and out-of-season (winter) bonuses.
Suppliers could fix the price on either 5% or 10% of their 2025 monthly litres.
700 fewer farmers getting BCR scheme payments
The number of NI farmers in receipt of Beef Carbon Reduction (BCR) scheme payments in March 2026 is down by around 700 when compared to the first year of the scheme.
Answering a written question from West Tyrone MLA, Daniel McCrossan, Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir confirmed that as of 12 March 2026, 7,367 farm businesses had received a BCR payment for eligible cattle slaughtered in 2025.
In total, these farmers had received £19.586m, which works out at an average of £2,659 per business. In addition, there were still 33 farms yet to receive payments (due to factors outside the control of the department), estimated at a total of £33,825.
In March 2025, payments were issued for eligible cattle slaughtered in 2024.
Back then, 8,089 farmers received total payments of £19,648, which works out at an average of £2,429 per farm business.
DAERA should retain beef schemes, says NIMEA
The NI meat industry has called on DAERA to keep in place two beef schemes beyond the current four-year timeframe.
The Beef Carbon Reduction (BCR) scheme is currently in its third year, while the second year of a Suckler Cow scheme began on 1 April 2026.
“We want the department to continue those for we certainly believe that they are having an impact on greenhouse gas reductions etc,” said the chief executive of the NI Meat Exporters’ Association (NIMEA), Daryl McLaughlin.
“From an environmental and sustainability point of view, we certainly feel they are doing what they’ve set out to do.”
Sheep scheme
Briefing MLAs on the Stormont Agriculture committee last Thursday, McLaughlin joined those calling for a sheep scheme to be introduced.
He also said NIMEA supported attempts to re-introduce Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) payments for marginal land. “However, we do take the same position as the Ulster Farmers’ Union that we believe money for that [ANC scheme] should be found outside of the ring-fenced agriculture support budget,” he said.
Small uptake for Lakeland fixed-price milk scheme
It is understood that only a small number of Lakeland suppliers in NI have signed up to the latest fixed price offering from the co-op.
The one-year scheme, which was open to applications until 4pm last Friday 27 March, offered farmers a base price of 32p/l from April to September, rising to 34p/l for October through to next March.
That base price is inclusive of the co-ops 0.5p sustainability bonus, but before normal adjustments for milk quality, volume and out-of-season (winter) bonuses.
Suppliers could fix the price on either 5% or 10% of their 2025 monthly litres.
700 fewer farmers getting BCR scheme payments
The number of NI farmers in receipt of Beef Carbon Reduction (BCR) scheme payments in March 2026 is down by around 700 when compared to the first year of the scheme.
Answering a written question from West Tyrone MLA, Daniel McCrossan, Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir confirmed that as of 12 March 2026, 7,367 farm businesses had received a BCR payment for eligible cattle slaughtered in 2025.
In total, these farmers had received £19.586m, which works out at an average of £2,659 per business. In addition, there were still 33 farms yet to receive payments (due to factors outside the control of the department), estimated at a total of £33,825.
In March 2025, payments were issued for eligible cattle slaughtered in 2024.
Back then, 8,089 farmers received total payments of £19,648, which works out at an average of £2,429 per farm business.
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