Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 February 2024
388. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a payment which is long overdue under the suckler carbon efficiency scheme will be paid immediately to a person (details supplied). [8948/24]
View answerThe Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) aims to provide support to beef farmers to improve the environmental sustainability of the national beef herd. The programme aims to build on the gains delivered in recent years through the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) and the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme (BEEP) by improving the genetic merit of the Irish suckler herd.
One of the eligibility requirements of SCEP was that participants must be a member of the Bord Bia Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme (SBLAS) by 16 October 2023 and have continued participation for the duration of the programme.
My officials wrote to SCEP participants in June and July 2023 reminding them of this eligibility criteria and reminder SMS text messages were also sent in August and September 2023. Additionally, my officials wrote to participants in early October 2023 advising that an additional extension period for SBLAS certification was granted to 22 January 2024, subject to an application being submitted to Bord Bia by 16 October 2023.
As the person named had not applied to be a member of SBLAS by the 16 October 2023, he was removed from the programme. A letter issued to the person named on 20 October 2023 notifying him that he was removed from SCEP.
The person named and his FAS Advisor have been in contact with my Departments SCEP section requesting a review. This review has been completed and a decision letter has issued to the person named.
