Almost 2,500 farmers in the Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) could see their scheme contracts terminated this year.

Failure to complete nutrient management plans (NMP) on time has been highlighted by the Department as the main reason why farmers were excluded from the scheme in the past.

Some 200 GLAS I and II contracts were terminated because an NMP was not submitted by the final deadline this year. A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture said where participants have been excluded from the scheme, any payments made have to be clawed back in full.

There are currently 2,152 outstanding NMPs related to GLAS III. The Department said these cases are due to be excluded from the scheme if an NMP is not submitted by 31 December 2018. “Reminders to participants have issued by text message and by letter,” according to a Department spokesperson.

Payments

Advance 2018 GLAS payments are “expected” to start before the end of November. These advance payments will make up 85% of the total annual payment.

The balancing payments are not expected to start until all 2018 inspections are completed. GLAS 2017 balancing payments were made as late as mid-May this year.

There are currently 49,200 active participants in GLAS I, II and III who are due a payment. The Department has warned that payment delays are possible for a number of participating farmers who fail to provide all supporting documentation.

Meanwhile, some 707 farmers will also not be paid if commonage management plans are not submitted and finalised, 1,119 farmers will be left waiting until they complete low emission slurry spreading (LESS) forms and 286 farmers in GLAS I and II also need to complete GLAS training before the end of the year or they will not be paid and could face scheme exclusion.