Basic Payment Scheme - how and why to apply online

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine opened the online facility for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) on March 3, 2016.

The closing date for receipt of 2016 BPS applications May 16, 2016. All applicants will have received their application packs from the Department in recent days.

While, most farmers can submit a paper application or an online application, certain categories (Partnerships, Greening, Organic and GLAS farmers) are required to apply using the online facility and a paper application will not issue to, or be accepted from these categories of farmers.

Basic Payment Scheme – Why Apply Online?

Since the introduction of the online system in 2007, the number of farmers applying online has continued to grow from 7,500 in 2007 to over 93,000 in 2015. This growth in the number of farmers applying online shows that more and more farmers are finding the best way to apply for their BPS is online.

While most farmers still have the option of submitting a paper or online application, this will no longer be the case from 2018. Under EU Regulations 100% of BPS applicants will be required to apply for Basic Payment Scheme by submitting an online application from 2018.

With this in mind, the Department is urging all famers to register on www.agfood.ie, if they have not already done so, and to submit their BPS application online as soon as possible.

How do I apply online?

If you have not already done so, you must first register with the Department by visiting www.agfood.ie or by calling the dedicated helpdesk at 076 1064424 where a member of staff will assist you.

Once you are registered, you can apply online for various schemes including the Basic Payment Scheme. It is open to farmers to do this themselves or through an agent.

What are the benefits of applying online?

Registering www.agfood.ie will allow you to apply for various schemes online, record animal events, register calf births, view your financial statements securely, and apply for BPS online.

The advantages of submitting your BPS online include:

Less room for error as the system will warn you of certain potential errors as you make your application. Less error means less potential for penalties.
Online applications ensure no vital information is omitted. For example, when sending in a paper application, a farmer may forget to sign a form, or fill out information in relation to parcel usage etc – such errors take time to follow up for all parties. When submitting online, however, the system will alert you that you have information missing.
The system allows you to accurately map areas and exclusions through the online mapping tool.
You can upload documents electronically to accompany your application e.g. Evidence of Commonage share, or Lease Agreement, which will allow for your application to be processed more quickly.
You can submit amendments to your application through the online facility.
The system allows you to view your entitlement details.
You will be able to view a detailed breakdown of your payments and all correspondence with the Department online.
Inbuilt validations in the system provide for consistency between your BPS and GLAS applications and you will receive warnings of any potential breaches which may affect your GLAS payment.

In addition, the Department is currently examining the introduction of preliminary checks. These checks would allow certain errors to be corrected without penalty, thus delivering real benefits to farmers. It is important to point out that preliminary checks can only be made available to online applicants.

Work is ongoing in relation to the administrative and technical requirements associated with implementation of these checks.

What supports are available to farmers applying online?

A range of supports are available for farmers applying online. You may lodge your BPS application online yourself or through an agricultural agent. A dedicated helpdesk is available at 076 1064424 to address any queries.

Also, instructional videos demonstrating the BPS online application process are available on the Department’s website, and further targeted supports will be made available to those GLAS farmers applying for BPS online for the first time this year.

The Department will continue to encourage more and more farmers to apply for BPS online. The online system is simple to use, offers a range of benefits for farmers, and supports are available in order to help people apply.