The Department of Agriculture has revealed its first estimates for average payments to farmers under the new Basic Payment Scheme (BPS).

The BPS replaced the Single Farm Payment in 2015 under the latest reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.

While the National average basic payment for 2015 will not be known until after the definitive establishment of entitlements for all farmers is carried out at the end of April 2016.

The average of BPS payments to date is €9,102 which is an 8% fall on the average direct payment to farmers in 2010.

Average payment under SPS/BPS 2010-15

  • 2010: €10,002
  • 2011: €9,963
  • 2012: €9,830
  • 2013: €9,703
  • 2014: €9,594
  • 2015: €9,102*

Following the agreement on the Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy reached in 2013 changes were made to the Direct Payments regime.

Some 30% of the National Ceiling envelope available to Ireland was set aside for the Greening Payment.

A further 2% was be utilised for payment under the Young Farmers Scheme, while 3% of the Basic Payment Ceiling will be used to fund allocations from the National Reserve.

Therefore, payments to individual farmers were anticipated to change in 2015.

Publication of farmers payments

The Department of Agriculture also confirmed to Agriland this week that in accordance with EU legislation the Department will be publishing the details of farmers payments again this year.

It is intended that all information relating to 2015 will be published in the required format by May 31.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture 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.