Entitlement transfer questions

Q: I received an inheritance from my father late this year. He farmed in 2013, but the entitlements were not mentioned in the will. Do I qualify for them next year?

A: Yes. As you are getting the land in 2015 you step into the shoes of your father and will use his allocation. As all entitlements will be extinguished on 31 December 2014, it doesn’t matter if they were mentioned in the will or not. They go with the land in 2015. You have to submit a basic payment scheme application before 15 May 2015 to establish the entitlements.

Q: I am leasing the farm from my farmer in 2015. He farms it, but wants to retire from farming. Do I automatically get his new entitlements in my name?

A: No. As the land is only being leased to you, not transferred, you have to establish the new entitlements via a private contract clause. Not only that, your father has to be active in 2015, which means he has to submit an application with at least one hectare of land to ensure you establish the entitlements in your name.