Advance payments for the 2025 Eco Scheme will commence on 21 October 2025. The majority of farmers will receive their advance payment on this date automatically, but there are some farmers who must complete actions and submit documentation to trigger their payment.

One such grouping is farmers who selected Agricultural Practice 4, planting of trees and hedges, as their action in the 2025 scheme year.

This relates to less than 1,200 farmers and all have been written to in recent months and requested to submit the receipt(s) demonstrating their compliance with this practice in 2025. The action requirements state that trees or hedges can be planted anytime from 1 October 2024 to 20 November 2025. Full details on pages 25 -28 of BISS terms and conditions).

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While receipts can be submitted until 30 November 2025, payment will not be sanctioned until receipts are received, processed and approved.

The Department advises farmers that where work is already completed, to submit receipts without delay so that applications can be processed ahead of 21 October.