Northern Ireland’s Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill has announced that the 2016 Online Single application system is now open.
Minister O’Neill said she would like her department to be in a position to make advance payments this year, but requires the help of the farming community to make this possible, as at least 70% of farmers need to submit their applications online.
The closing date for receipt of Single Applications is May 16, 2016.
Minister O’Neill said she is pleased to announce that the online Single Application and Maps service is now open.
“This is earlier than 2015, so will provide farmers with more time to make their applications.
“The number of applications being submitted online has been increasing steadily, with 46% applying online in 2015. However, one of the conditions required to deliver advance payments in October 2016, is at least 70% of farmers need to use the online service. It is in the farming community’s interests to ‘help us to help you’. I would encourage more farmers to avail of the online system rather than paper format in 2016.”
Outlining improvements to the online service for 2016 Minister O’Neill said her department has listened to both stakeholders and farmers and we have made further improvements for 2016, including, error alerts, an instant receipt and summary of the claim, and compatibility with a wider range of browsers.
The application now includes access to farm maps, plus the ability to make changes to the map which automatically updates the field data in the application.
“I would ask those who have not yet registered for my Department’s online services to please get in touch now by contacting the SAF Advisory team so that you can avail of the Single Application online service when applying this year.”
“My message for this year’s SAF period is to start early, do it online and finish on time. All your information will be available online, including your map. It’s the easiest, quickest and safest way to apply and the more that apply online, the greater potential of making advance payments in October 2016”.
The SAF advisory team can be contacted at [email protected] or via telephone on 0300 200 7848