Stakeholders in the beef sector are attending a Union meeting this Monday, 9 May, to discuss the Beef Efficiency Scheme (BES) to encourage an industry-wide uptake.
With only a few weeks left to apply, NFU Scotland is seeking clarity on important questions about the £45 million scheme, which was launched on Friday 29 April and is aimed at Scottish suckler producers.
The scheme aims to improve efficiency, sustainability and quality of the beef herd whilst helping producers increase the genetic value of their herd and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
These aspirations will be delivered through a focus on cattle genetics and management practice.
The meeting to be held at Ingliston, Edinburgh, will seek to gain answers to the outstanding questions, whilst looking at ways to increase the scheme’s uptake across the country by beef producers.
Misunderstanding of the rules
NFU Scotland’s Livestock Committee Chairman Charlie Adam commented: "The sector has been given £45 million from Scottish Government and at times like these, we cannot afford to let this slip out of our hands.
"A lot of the concern about the scheme is due to possible misunderstanding of the rules and requiring further information.
"Whilst there is a lot of information available, some farmers have been too busy with spring work to get to grips with what is being asked within the scheme.
"The clock is ticking and we need to pull together to ensure farmers gain a better understanding of what BES stands for ahead of the deadline for submissions on 31 May.
"This will include getting some robust answers to the Union’s questions.
"The Union believes that uptake would increase if Scottish Government would commit to any underspend being allocated to years four and five.
"Opportunities like this do not come along very often for the beef sector but farmers still need to know what they are getting themselves into.
"We will continue to press for answers and to ensure the scheme in communicated to producers."
