The Basic Payments Scheme (BPS) is a key support for farmers in terms of helping to manage cashflow and ensuring the ongoing growth and competitiveness of the ag-food sector. With this in mind, I have set the efficient processing of payments under the BPS as a key priority for my Department. Under EU regulations, all BPS applications are required to be submitted online by 2018.

In 2016, my Department paid over 109,000 farmers a total of €714m under the BPS in mid-October, which is the earliest date at which BPS payments can begin. In total, almost 124,000 farmers have now been paid over €1.18bn under the 2016 BPS. Given the importance of such payments, I am very aware of the need to ensure high standards in the processing of the BPS for farmers. One of the best ways in which my Department can seek to do this is via online application for the BPS.

The bottom line is that this helps farmers directly, as my Department is able to process these applications more efficiently

There are many advantages of online application for farmers. For example, common errors and penalties can be avoided as the online system will warn you when certain errors arise on your application. Such errors can be fixed there and then, which can help to avoid possible penalties. It also means that many issues can be fixed on the spot without the need for my Department to follow up any errors with a letter as would be the case with a paper application. The bottom line is that this helps farmers directly, as my Department is able to process these applications more efficiently.

In addition, my Department introduced preliminary checks for the first time in 2016. These checks are only available to online applicants. Preliminary checks allow my Department to run a series of pre-checks for online BPS applications and to notify applicants of any non-compliance in the areas of overclaims, dual claims and overlaps. A specified timeframe is then available to BPS applicants to rectify any such issues in advance of any possible penalty applying. In 2016, some 5,000 farmers gained the benefit of a preliminary check, and the advantages of these checks for farmers will increase as more applicants move to online.

Farmers can apply for their BPS online themselves or via an agricultural adviser at www.agfood.ie. When you are making your BPS application, you can also apply for the National Reserve, the Young Farmers Scheme and the Areas of Natural Constraint scheme as part of the same process.

Supports

In order to help farmers to apply for their BPS online, I have put in place a number of supports. These range from a one-to-one call in service for farmers in various locations to a phone helpline and instructional videos. Details of these supports are outlined in this supplement, and I hope that farmers will find them very helpful in the move to online application.

I would encourage all farmers to apply for their BPS online at the earliest possible date. Should you require any assistance in this process, please do not hesitate to contact my Department and take advantage of the supports I have put in place.

In 2016, 102,000 farmers applied for their BPS online and farmers are increasingly finding that online is the best way to apply for the BPS. The application process is straightforward and there are supports in place to ensure that farmers can gain the benefits of online application.

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Special focus: BPS online applications