The Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney announced the opening of the online application facility for BPS, Greening and the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) schemes on Thursday.

"In 2015, some 93,000 farmers applied online and we are hoping to significantly increase that number this year given the range of benefits which online applications provide for farmers," said Minister Coveney.

He confirmed that the closing date for the BPS in 2016 would be Monday 16 May but urged all farmers and advisers to avail of the opening of the online facility at this early stage.

Minister Coveney said that the online application was now open for farmers to apply either as individuals or through an agent.

"Higher levels of online applications will allow my Department to continue to improve on the delivery to farmers of essential payments under schemes such as BPS and the ANC," he concluded.

Assistance is available to all farmers using the online application system at www.agfood.ie and the dedicated helpdesk at 076 1064424.

GLAS farmers

While the overall application remains the same this year, new features include a GLAS layer where farmers who applied for GLAS can see the actions they have signed up for under the scheme.

With a push to 100% online applications, all GLAS farmers must also apply for their BPS online this year. 33,500 submitted their 2015 BPS online, leaving around 4,500 to make the move in 2016.

"Following on from the rollout in 2015 of online application to farmers who have a requirement under Greening, or are in partnerships, or are in the Organic Farming Scheme, in 2016 GLAS farmers will move to online BPS application," the Department said.

Online benefits

IFA Deputy President Tim O’Leary said farmers should make their Basic Payment application online to benefit from many advantages.

"The benefits include an earlier application date, pre-checking, instant confirmation of receipt of application, reduced application errors and greater accuracy, online maps, text alerts from the Department, payment on time within deadlines, and online linkage to other schemes such as GLAS," O'Leary said.

According to O'Leary, the IFA is pushing the Department to offer a pre-checking system for all online BPS applications this year.

Farming partnerships

Meanwhile, for farmers in partnerships to receive ANC payment, the partnership must also apply for BPS using the online system.

During the BPS application, ANC payment is also applied for by ticking the appropriate box on the online application form. Each partner will then be given the opportunity to declare the lands they individually bring to the partnership.

IFA rural development chair Flor McCarthy said that if the conditions are met and both partners contribute eligible ANC lands, and the necessary stocking requirements are fulfilled, both will be eligible for payment.

Natura land

If Natura land was claimed in 2008 and was eligible, but has since become ineligible as a result of the management requirement or ecological objective of the Natura site, then that land remains eligible if it continues to be farmed.

IFA special areas of conservation chair Tom Turley said that this clarification is important, as some farmers were having land ruled out for various payments.