Some 129,700 farmers submitted a Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) application as the deadline passed on Tuesday 15 May.

This year, all applications had to be made online. Farmers can no longer submit a paper application as they did in previous years due to European Commission requirements.

The number of applications submitted this year is an increase of 16,100 online applications compared with the same period last year. The total number of applications made last year, including paper applications made prior to the deadline, was 130,574.

Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed said online applications will reduce issues with payments in the future.

“Preliminary checks afford online applicants the opportunity to address any dual claims, over-claims and overlaps identified on online applications within specified time frames to ensure prompt payment with the avoidance of penalties,” he said.

Farmers can still make a 2018 BPS application but penalties apply. In Northern Ireland, farmers have also switched over to 100% online applications. The number of single applications received by DAERA before the deadline was 24,610.