Some 130,700 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) applications have been received by the Department of Agriculture, the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed has said.
Over 100,000 of these applications were made through the online process while the remainder were received in the form of paper applications.
“My Department has put in place a range of supports in order to encourage farmers to apply online.
“The increase in online applicants this year to over 100,000 shows that farmers are increasingly recognising the benefits of doing so.
“Applying online is simple to do, and it has a range of benefits for farmers in terms of reducing application errors and facilitating the more efficient processing of payments under the BPS.”
A dedicated telephone helpdesk is also available during normal office hours to assist farmers applying on line. The helpdesk can be contacted at 0761 064424.
The Minister said that he is pleased that the 2017 target has now been met a year in advance.
“A further benefit available to online BPS applicants this year is the introduction of preliminary checks. These preliminary checks will afford online applicants the opportunity to address any dual claims, over claims and overlaps identified on online applications within specified time frames without penalty.
“My Department will continue to work with farmers, farm bodies, and agricultural advisors to ensure that the continued roll out of online BPS application will deliver real benefits for farmers in a way that ensures that access to this vital support is not impeded.”
Teagasc completes over 40,000 BPS applications
Meanwhile, Teagasc completed in excess of 40,000 Basic Payment Scheme applications on behalf of farmer clients this year and 39,000 of these were done on-line.
Commenting on the Teagasc BPS campaign Dermot McCarthy, Head of Teagasc Advisory Services, said that after a slow start to this year’s campaign, the online system worked well and all clients were processed within the Department’s deadline while Teagasc public events and discussion group programmes continued uninterrupted.
McCarthy complemented staff in the Teagasc advisory service on the delivery and support for the BPS application campaign this year.
“Despite complications with linkages of BPS and GLAS, all clients were dealt with in an efficient and professional way.”
The service contract with FRS this year for some derogation and BPS cases helped reduce pressure on advisors and made meeting deadlines possible, while continuing with a technical advisory programme.
“Teagasc will review the use of a service contract for scheme work with a view to further freeing limited advisory time to deal with technical and financial advisory matters to ensure national farm development and farm income targets are met.”
According to Teagasc, applications involving companies and partnership were more straight-forward this year.
Furthermore, it said that some dairy advisors now have up to 20% of clients involved in companies, partnerships, or a combination of both.
These business arrangements have serious legal, taxation and scheme administration implications and advisors had to work closely with accountants, solicitors and other consultants to ensure full consideration was given to all aspects of applications.
As part of this year’s BPS consultations, advisors found they had to deal with advisory questions relating to cash flow and grassland management.
Because of the wet cold spring, grass shortage, fertilizer recommendations and supplementary feeding had to be discussed at most consultations with farmers during the early part of the Basic Payment campaign.
Teagasc said that many of these consultations also involved consideration of cash flow implications.
It said it is very conscious that low grain and milk prices mean cash flow will be a continuing concern over the coming year and Teagasc will put resources into assisting farmers with financial matters throughout 2016.