The Department has received just under 82,000 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) applications to date. Of these, 56,981 or 70% were online, with 24,861 paper applications.

It leaves over 50,000 applications still to be submitted – over 5,000 applications were received on Tuesday alone.

While the rush will be similar to previous years, the overlap with GLAS and other new schemes is making the process slower. Make sure you book an appointment with your adviser.

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New guidelines for those awaiting herd numbers

The Department has issued guidelines to allow farmers waiting on herd numbers to apply for the BPS and other direct payment schemes before the 29 May deadline.

Around 3,000 farmers have applied for new herd numbers this year, with another 3,500 adding a name on to create a joint herd number. Most are doing it to gain eligibility for National Reserve and Young Farmers Top Up.

It is not necessary to have the application for a herd number processed prior to the closing date, as long as you have applied for the herd number prior to the closing date.

There is no issue for most of the farmers involved as they can apply using a paper application, which is available on the Department’s website at www.agriculture.gov.ie

The Department has developed a facility to cater for arable farmers with greening obligations or organic farmers who can only apply using the online iNET application facility.

They cannot use a paper application, but up to now could not register on Agfood. This facility should be available early next week.

If any farmers are concerned about this matter, they can contact the Department at 0761-064441 or send an email to greening@ agriculture.gov.ie.

It is important to note that if a farmer has applied for a herd number or a change to a herd number, there is no need to contact the regional office again. It will be processed in due course and the absence of a herd number at the application stage will not have any impact on his or her eligibility under the direct payment schemes.

ANC scheme

The terms and conditions for the Area of National Constraint (ANC) scheme are on the Department website.

They are similar to the old DAS apart from island farmers, who will get higher payments per hectare. Donkeys are also safe for the time being as they are considered eligible. You must farm the land for the complete 12 months.

Farmers who take up the wild bird cover measure under GLAS will continue to qualify for ANC payment. For example, a farmer with 30ha who chooses to put in 3ha of wild bird cover measures will not now lose this area, worth €288 in ANC payment.