BDGP Payments Important Income Source for Farmers

IFA Livestock Chairman Brendan Golden has acknowledged confirmation from the Department of Agriculture that payments under the BDGP scheme are underway.

Payments valued at over €28m are issuing over the coming days to over 14,500 participants across both programmes.

Brendan Golden said this is a very important income support for beef and suckler farmers across the country.

“In the context of ongoing discussions about the beef sector, this type of scheme underlines the value and importance of the suckler cow. It’s the cornerstone of the beef sector and underpins the contribution of the sector to the rural economy,” he said.

He said the Government has to recognise that the suckler and beef sector supports thousands of jobs in rural Ireland and contributes hugely to the social fabric of towns and villages all over the country.

Brendan Golden said IFA has repeatedly pointed out to Govt that support is needed if the sector is to play its part in producing food and reducing emissions.