Last July, DARD wrote to approximately 3,000 claimants to the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) asking for more evidence to prove that they are active farmers. The final deadline to submit evidence to DARD was 29 January 2016.

With the process nearing completion, decision letters are now going out to applicants. On enquiry, DARD confirmed that of the 3,000 applicants, 810 have been rejected as not meeting active farmer requirements.

The evidence submitted by applicants was assessed by a panel, which included technical input by CAFRE farm advisers. They checked whether the claims made by the applicant matched inputs and outputs from the business. Where there was significant doubt that the applicant was actively farming the land for the majority of 2015, the application for BPS entitlements was rejected. A number of businesses received multiple inspections from DARD as part of the process.

While most farmers will probably welcome the fact that DARD has managed to exclude some dubious claims from the system, there is still the right of appeal.

A DARD spokesperson confirmed: “In accordance with the Department’s Review of Decisions Procedure, applicants have 42 days within which to request a review of decision.”

Trading

For those who have managed to slip through the system and establish BPS entitlements, expect DARD to keep a close eye on entitlement trading this spring. Someone who only actively farmed for one year might have to clarify their situation. The entitlement trading window is due to open for one month from 4 April. The person farming the land in 2016 is the person who must claim the entitlement.

Open

Meanwhile, Minister for Agriculture Michelle O’Neill has confirmed that the online service for the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme will open for applications in the first week of March.

She urged farmers to complete the Single Application Form (SAF) online.

She said that 46% of applicants in 2015 used the online service. “One of the conditions required to deliver advance payments in October 2016, is at least 70% of farmers need to use the online service,” she said.

New applicants to the young farmers’ scheme or regional reserve can also apply from 1 March.

Farmers with a positive greening requirement, who need to report ecological focus areas, will be required to do this online from the start of April.