Rural Payments and Services

Fergus Ewing, Rural Economy Secretary is urging farmers to complete the recording of any outstanding data by participants in the Beef Efficiency Scheme (BES) as soon as possible.

“Farmers and crofters who participate in the Beef Efficiency Scheme (BES) had until midnight on 15th July to enter the data on the database for the period 1 January to 1 June 2017.

“So far over 1,400 businesses have completed their calving data requirements. This includes 300 businesses who completed their data recording by 9 June to benefit from our offer of an early selection to ensure early delivery of tissue tags. We were aiming to deliver all tags before the end of August but I can now confirm that we expect to issue tissue tags to all participants who qualified for the early selection by the end of this week.

“But there are still 300 BES participants to complete their calving data recording and I am keen that they do so. There are no immediate penalties for having missed the 15 July deadline, but there could be an impact on the next stage of the scheme.

“We all want BES to work and work well. The scheme will provide valuable learning on key issues of animal well-being and climate change which we can take into future policy. I understand the processes are complex and are proving difficult for some to complete. But there is help and guidance available on our website and through area offices.

"I urge all BES participants to complete their data recording as soon as possible."