There were 339 Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme – Suckler (BEEP-S) on-farm inspections carried out by the Department of Agriculture in 2021.

The figure, shared with the Irish Farmers Journal, comes as suckler farmers work to submit cow and calf weights for this year’s scheme by the 1 November deadline.

There have been reports of increased inspection rates on farms in the south-east this year, with a number of farmers receiving inspections after weights they submitted on cattle, particularly cows, were incorrect. The Department of Agriculture has confirmed that “inspections are now under way for 2022 and these will continue for some time yet”.

‘Significant deviations’

All weights recorded by a farmer participating in BEEP-S are submitted to ICBF, which carries out an analysis and identify cases which may require further examination, according to the Department.

The Department said that it, or ICBF on its behalf, carries out “certain verification checks where it appears that there are significant deviations from expected weights”.

It confirmed that in 2021, there were over 150 such cases where the weights recorded by the farmer significantly deviated from expected cattle weights. The equivalent figure for 2022 will depend on the results of the analysis of the weights now being submitted, the Department said.

Funds recovered

It said that in line with the terms and conditions of BEEP-S, any farmer participating who is found to have knowingly made a false weight statement may have their participation in the programme ended and any money paid may be recovered by the Department.

Farmers are reminded that the deadline for submitting weights is 5.30pm on 1 November 2022.