The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has now received more than 46,000 applications for area-based schemes, including the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) scheme.
Data provided to Agriland by the department shows that 46,488 applications had been submitted as of Monday, April 22.
This marks an increase of over 9,000 applications in a week; the department previously confirmed 37,314 applications had been made as of Monday, April 15.
It comes as farmers or their advisors have just over three weeks left to this year’s deadline.
The closing date for BISS applications in 2024 is Wednesday, May 15, 2024.
Under the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) has been replaced by the BISS.
Last year, over 124,000 BISS applications were lodged with the department.
DAFM
Farmers can currently apply for all elements of direct payments (BISS, Eco-Schemes, Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers, Protein Aid, National Reserve, transferring of entitlements) online.
DAFM has said that annual payment claims for the Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM), Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) and the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) can also be made online.
The department is currently running a series of in-person clinics for farmers on Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) schemes.
The clinics, being held at venues around the country, take place from 10:00a.m to 4:30p.m.
The following is a list of the remaining events that are taking place over the coming weeks:
- Wednesday, April 24: Spraoi agus Spórt, Supervalu, Carndonagh, Co. Donegal;
- Thursday, April 25: Central Hotel, Donegal Town;
- Tuesday, April 30: DAFM offices, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim;
- Wednesday, May 1: Shirley Arms Hotel, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan;
- Thursday, May 2: DAFM offices, Cavan;
- Tuesday, May 7: Minella Hotel, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary;
- Wednesday, May 8: Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork;
- Thursday, May 9: DAFM offices, Clonakilty, Co. Cork.
Farmers who want to contact the department in relation to online applications can also use the following helplines:
- 049 4368288 in relation to queries on registering for www.agfood.ie – for example queries on lost passwords, how to register etc;
- 057 8674422 in relation to queries on completing the BISS application once registered on www.agfood.ie or to request a paper copy of the terms and conditions.