On March 3, 2016, the Department of Agriculture opened its online facility for the Basic Payment Scheme and the closing date for applications is May 16, 2016.
According to the Department of Agriculture, all applicants will have received their application packs in recent days.
Certain categories of the application are required to be completed online and a paper application will not issue for these categories (partnerships, Greening, Organic and GLAS farmers).
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, the Department has said.
However, it has announced that while most farmers still have the option of submitting a paper or online application, this will no longer be the case from 2018.
With this in mind, the Department is urging all farmers to register on www.agfood.ie, if they have not already done so, and to submit their 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 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 and view your financial statements securely.
The Department has outlined the advantages of submitting your Basic Payment Scheme online:
- 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.
It maintains that these checks would allow certain errors to be corrected without penalty, thus delivering real benefits to farmers.
The Department is advising that it is important to point out that preliminary checks can only be made available to online applicants.
Furthermore, it confirmed that work is ongoing in relation to the administrative and technical requirements associated with the implementation of these checks.
What supports are available to farmers applying online?
A range of supports are available for farmers applying online and a dedicated helpdesk is available at 076 1064424 to address any queries.
The Department will continue to encourage more and more farmers to apply for the scheme online.
Register now at www.agfood.ie to ensure that you take advantage of the quickest and best way to apply for your BPS.
Officials from the Department will be available to provide assistance to GLAS farmers who have not previously applied online for the scheme at the following locations between 2.30pm and 7.30pm on the dates listed:
The Department says that if you wish to avail of this assistance you must bring your registration details if you have registered beforehand.
Alternatively, it can assist in getting you registered for Online Services, but you must have your PPSN and identification with you.