Unlike previous flexibility in former farm schemes, no nominees can attend the two designated training courses for the SCEP – Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme – the DAFM (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine) has confirmed.
The training courses – which cover the SCEP and animal handling – will provide applicants with an introduction to the programme and information on requirements/actions, including genotyping, inputting data, genomics indices and the replacement strategy, as outlined in detail by our resident editor, Catherina Cunnane, as part of a mini-series on That’s Farming last week.
According to the DAFM, the training will also provide information on controls, inspections, sanctions, health and safety and livestock handling.
Completion date
The scheme’s terms and conditions state that “the two courses [SCEP and animal handling] may be completed in one day or over different days but must be fully completed by November 15th, 2024”.
“The training will be facilitated by a training provider, approved by the DAFM following an open tender process.”
“Applicants will be provided with details of the training provider and course locations following the completion of the tender process.”
Applicants must attend and present proof of ID, and they will also have to sign in and out accordingly at the training sessions.
Meanwhile, if you, as a SCEP applicant, fail to attend training courses by November 15th, 2024, you will be removed from the programme, and the DAFM will recoup any monies issued to you under the scheme.
Unlike previous schemes, farmers will receive “no payment for attending the training course”.
Previously, BDGP participants received a payment to of €166 “cover the costs associated with participation in training” upon completion, and they could select a nominee – which must have been a family member or partner – to attend on their behalf.
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