Some 97,128 farmers have submitted their Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) applications as the Friday 15 May deadline approaches.

Almost 7,000 more applications have been submitted compared to the same date last year.

Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed said: “This is a year where prompt payment of the BPS will be of huge importance to farmers owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The best way for farmers to ensure payment on time, is to get their applications in on time and accurately.”