The extension is just shy of an additional two weeks. Good Friday this year falls on April 18th and the new closing for the €60 BGS and BDP is the day before, Holy Thursday (April 17th).
A two week extension for applications to the 2014 Beef Genomics Scheme (BGS) and Beef Data Programme (BDP) has been approved by the Department of Agriculture.
Earlier this week IFA Livestock Chairman Henry Burns expressed deep concern as the closing date was looming. “It is such a busy time of year for livestock farmers, there may be some hoping to participate in the schemes who have not yet had time to apply” said Burns, calling on Minister Coveney to extend the closing date.
In the region of 30,000 BGS and BDP applications have now been received by the Department of Agriculture’s Portlaoise office. This equates to 40% of the forms delivered across the country just three weeks ago being returned already.
According to Department of Agriculture officials, the closing date has been extended due to the fact that “this is a new scheme and it is new to farmers”.
“We want to allow farmers more time to make their decision and get the form submitted.”
The extension is just shy of an additional two weeks. Good Friday this year falls on April 18th and the new closing for the BGS and BDP is the day before, Holy Thursday April 17th.
Farmers can submit their form by post and they will also be able to apply online using www.agfood.ie. If you already have your login details, the process is straight forward. If you do not have an account set up to date, it can take two days to get the necessary details.
Keep this two day delay in mind as you get close to the 17th. It is unlikely to see another extension.
(Source – Irish Farmers Journal – Padraig Foley – 04/04/2014)
The extension is just shy of an additional two weeks. Good Friday this year falls on the 18th of April