The Department is to consider whether a limited extension might be possible to the 2 April 2014 deadline for the transfer of entitlements for 2014 Single Farm Payments.

During a meeting with MLAs at Stormont, Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “We are looking at the date to see if it is ‘set in stone’. We can’t leave it open-ended, but perhaps we could extend it a little.”

Whether that will make much difference to farmers this year trying to come to an arrangement to buy entitlements from a landowner is doubtful, given that it will probably be later in the year before firm decisions are taken (beyond the 15 May deadline for submission of the Single Application Form).

For those who are aiming to meet the 2 April deadline, they have been urged in a press statement from DARD to get their transfer applications in well before this date to allow any queries to be resolved.

The major problem for both landowners and farmers looking to come to an arrangement to transfer entitlements this year is the value to put on these entitlements.

Both parties should note that the face value of entitlements will be reduced by approximately 9.25% this year (to reflect the fact that modulation will no longer be applied on individual claims).

But the value in 2015 and beyond will be dictated by the speed of transition to flat rate, and the end point in 2019 (either half-way or full-way to flat payments). Ideally, landowners and farmers will agree to re-assess the situation next year.

Both parties should also note that leasing entitlements to a landowner will not work in 2014. Leased entitlements will not count to the baseline for a farmer’s new payment in 2015. The entitlements must be permanently transferred. If a landowner claims in 2014, and is not in a position to meet requirements of an ‘active farmer’ in 2015, these entitlements will be lost.