320,000ha in BISS opt not to meet active farmer check through stocking rate

There is just under 320,000ha for which farmers have applied for 2026 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) payments that have not been opted into meeting the active farmer check through the minimum stocking rate option of 0.1LU/ha in 2025.

Tillage lands represented over 112,721ha of these non-stocking rate applications, 23,333ha has been applied for under the growing fodder option and 2,877ha has been entered into BISS under the forestry option.

The remaining 180,733ha represents applications that opted to meet the active farmer check neither by growing crops, fodder or forestry nor by meeting the 0.1LU/ha stocking rate check that can be used prove farming activity.

The terms and conditions of BISS stated that CAP payments can only be granted to farmers engaged in a minimum level of agricultural activity.

Activity

The scheme allows for agricultural activity that is assessed on a holding-by-holding basis where the stocking rate check is not selected by an applicant.

Close on 4,000 of the farmers who applied for BISS this year declined to opt for the stocking rate check, but stated that they intended on proving agricultural activity by grazing sheep, cattle or goats.

These applications covered a combined area of 167,280ha, equivalent to 42ha.

A further 7,158ha applied for in 457 applications were entered into BISS under the non-stocking rate check of keeping horses, donkeys or deer.

Another 3,050 farmers applied stating that they would prove active farming by topping grassland and 2,994 applicants said that they would meet the active farmer check by maintaining landscape features, for example by cutting hedges or cleaning ditches.

Farmers who choose to meet the active farmer check using a stocking rate must provide evidence that demonstrates they have undertaken agricultural activity in the claim year.

This may involve having to submit evidence of making hay or silage or topping that could take the form of submitting a contractor receipt in the applicant’s name or submitting a geotagged photo demonstrating the activity.