IFA National Livestock Chairman Brendan Golden has called for an extension to the deadline for renewing participation in the BDGP scheme.
He said the BDGP is a critical scheme for suckler farmers and every effort must be made to give all participating farmers the opportunity to continue in it.
“Large numbers of farmers are reporting difficulties in responding to the Department of Agriculture text to renew participation in the scheme and it is critical that every farmer who wants to participate for 2021 is included,” he said.
Even though the intention of the Department of Agriculture is to make renewal a straight forward process, unfortunately some farmers are experiencing difficulties in responding. This must be taken on board to ensure all farmers who want to continue in the scheme are allowed do so.
Brendan Golden said 98% of respondents so far are opting to continue, but worryingly only 55% of farmers have responded, which highlights that there are difficulties.
IFA is calling for flexibility with the deadline to ensure all farmers are facilitated who want to participate in the scheme.
Brendan Golden reminded farmers the deadline to reapply to the scheme is Fri next, Jan 15th. He said this can be done by responding to the text received from the Department of Agriculture, or preferably on line at Agfood.ie.
