With the deadline for those 2015 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) applicants who had their claim rejected by DARD now past, it is understood that a significant number have decided to appeal the original decision.

In total, around 800 applicants were rejected because they did not meet the rules around active farmers, while approximately 200 applicants to the young farmer scheme were also turned down.

A number of applicants who contacted the Irish Farmers Journal this week said that they intend taking their case to the High Court, if necessary, believing that DARD does not have the legal basis to reject the claims.

Before that, there is a two-stage appeal process within DARD, the first stage before a panel made up of DARD staff, and the second before an independent panel, although the decision of this panel can still be overturned by DARD. Getting through the two-stage appeal process could take up to two years.

That is leaving some farm businesses in a very difficult financial situation – in particular, full-time family farms where a young person was brought in as head of holding to claim the young farmer top-up and also facilitate a claim to the regional reserve, allowing entitlements to move straight to the NI regional average of €329/ha. Where the young farmer was rejected, and no subsidy money has been paid, it is leaving some businesses under severe financial strain.

In a number of cases, the application was rejected because the young farmer did not perform to the required standard in an interview with DARD. It is understood that well over 100 young farmers were called in for interview, after being picked out based on the size of their holding or their age.

“It is discriminatory to only ask some people in for interview and not others. DARD has not treated everyone who applied the same. The financial pressure we are now under is unreal,” said one farmer in this situation. Another said that he will soon have to start selling off his suckler cows to keep the business afloat.

Anyone who completed their Single Application Form online in 2015 will not receive a paper copy of the form this year. Where relevant, the advice from the NI Agricultural Consultants Association (NIACA) is not to delay in making an appointment to see your agent. In line with DARD and farm lobby organisations, NIACA encourages online submission of the 2016 SAF, given the DARD commitment that if 70% of forms are submitted electronically, an advance payment will be made this October.

Online SAF comes at a high cost

A DARD whistleblower has highlighted to the Irish Farmers Journal the very difficult situation faced by a number of applicants to the Basic Payment Scheme who used the online version of the Single Application Form (SAF) last year.

In these cases, the applicants did not realise that they should hit the ‘‘submit’’ button once their application was complete. The first they knew that there was a problem was when they did not receive any payments last December.

Given that 2015 was the year used to establish new entitlements, the consequences for those involved are significant.

According to the whistleblower, DARD has agreed that the forms were completed online after having brought in forensic computer experts to verify that the forms are there on the Orchard House system. But because the applicants did not formally submit the SAF, the Department will not agree to accept them.

“These claims are now at second-stage appeal and DARD is running for cover instead of trying to help the applicants who stand to lose thousands,” claimed the whistleblower.

They point out that if the forms had been taken to a local office, then there would have been no issue. “Is the minister and her staff who are promoting online applications aware of the pitfalls? So much for DARD direct offices, which cost millions to set up and now haven’t the staff to man them,” they said.

Anyone who completes the online form this year should note that after submission they should receive an email confirming receipt of application.

Young Farmers’ Scheme deadline – Monday 16 May

While the original deadline for an application form and supporting evidence for the Young Farmers’ Scheme was originally suggested as this Friday (15 April), the Irish Farmers Journal can confirm that this is not the case.

Evidence

Applications and supporting evidence will be accepted in person at DARD Direct Offices up to the normal deadline for submission of the Single Application Form of 16 May.

In total, approximately 500 potential applicants are understood to have undertaken a Level II qualification in agriculture at CAFRE with a view to applying to the Young Farmers’ Scheme in 2016.