Explanatory note

These Regulations establish the Suckler Cow Scheme. The Scheme provides for payments to be made by the Department to eligible farm businesses in relation to age at first calving and calving intervals, which meet the eligible animal requirements.

The Scheme—

specifies the payments available (regulation 3 and 7);

specifies the eligibility criteria for animals and farm businesses (regulations 4 and 5);

specifies the use of NIFAIS information (regulation 6);

provides the powers for withholding and recovery of overpayments (regulation 8);

provides for the powers of authorised persons (regulation 9);

specifies the assistance to authorised persons (regulation 10);

provides for the offences and penalties (regulation 11); and

specifies eligible beef breeds (Schedule).