Applications for BPS finally opened on Monday, after being later than expected. Farmers have until 15 May to have their applications in.
The number of farmers applying online has been rising rapidly over the past decade. In 2016, online BPS applications reached over 100,000, compared with just 7,540 in 2007.
But what are the most important points when making your application online?
Agricultural consultant Liam Walsh said if you’ve applied online and already submitted, it’s always easy to make changes.
Dos
Check that there are no plots missing – this occurs in a small number of cases every year.If the farmyard isn’t included, it should be included as ‘‘farmyard’’. Most farms have the farmyard on their maps but there are still a few that have it left out as farmers assume it is not eligible (which is correct) but it should still be included as a plot for inspection purposes.Check that the ‘‘claimed area’’ is equal to or more than the number of entitlements that you have. Both of these figures are given on the last screen of the online system and are very useful. If the area claimed is less than the number of entitlements, and if it was less in 2016, you can lose the corresponding number of entitlements.There are a few ways to avoid losing the entitlements, including leasing out the entitlements you have to spare or selling them, with a 20% clawback, or renting extra land. Also, make sure you carefully examine your maps and see if there is anywhere that can be claimed that wasn’t previously claimed. Check anywhere there may be an error on the map, eg a corner of plot left out. If you are in GLAS, check that all actions you applied for are listed on your BPS online and for tillage, ensure that you are meeting your greening requirements. The online system is helpful here as it warns you if you are not doing the greening areas correctly. Don’ts
Don’t submit the application without examining the maps to ensure that all plots are included.Don’t forget to delete any rented in or leased in land that you no longer have. Every year, applicants forget to delete plots from their applications.Don’t forget to amend your application if you intend to, eg plant forestry later in the year.
IFA deputy president Richard Kennedy said farmers should make their BPS application online in order to benefit from the many advantages in terms of early processing, reduced errors and payment on time within the deadlines set down in the Farmers’ Charter of Rights.
Benefits include an earlier application date, pre-checking, instant confirmation of receipt of application, reduced application errors and greater accuracy, maps online, text alert from the Department, payment on time within deadlines and linkages to other schemes, he added.
“The IFA has ensured that the pre-checking system for all online BPS applications introduced last year will be available again this year,” the deputy president said.
The IFA is due to meet the Department regarding resources to facilitate farmers in making an online application and this will be particularly relevant for farmers who don’t have access to broadband.
Read more
Online applicants benefit from preliminary checks
A further €1.4m issued to 386 farmers under GLAS
Applications for BPS finally opened on Monday, after being later than expected. Farmers have until 15 May to have their applications in.
The number of farmers applying online has been rising rapidly over the past decade. In 2016, online BPS applications reached over 100,000, compared with just 7,540 in 2007.
But what are the most important points when making your application online?
Agricultural consultant Liam Walsh said if you’ve applied online and already submitted, it’s always easy to make changes.
Dos
Check that there are no plots missing – this occurs in a small number of cases every year.If the farmyard isn’t included, it should be included as ‘‘farmyard’’. Most farms have the farmyard on their maps but there are still a few that have it left out as farmers assume it is not eligible (which is correct) but it should still be included as a plot for inspection purposes.Check that the ‘‘claimed area’’ is equal to or more than the number of entitlements that you have. Both of these figures are given on the last screen of the online system and are very useful. If the area claimed is less than the number of entitlements, and if it was less in 2016, you can lose the corresponding number of entitlements.There are a few ways to avoid losing the entitlements, including leasing out the entitlements you have to spare or selling them, with a 20% clawback, or renting extra land. Also, make sure you carefully examine your maps and see if there is anywhere that can be claimed that wasn’t previously claimed. Check anywhere there may be an error on the map, eg a corner of plot left out. If you are in GLAS, check that all actions you applied for are listed on your BPS online and for tillage, ensure that you are meeting your greening requirements. The online system is helpful here as it warns you if you are not doing the greening areas correctly. Don’ts
Don’t submit the application without examining the maps to ensure that all plots are included.Don’t forget to delete any rented in or leased in land that you no longer have. Every year, applicants forget to delete plots from their applications.Don’t forget to amend your application if you intend to, eg plant forestry later in the year.
IFA deputy president Richard Kennedy said farmers should make their BPS application online in order to benefit from the many advantages in terms of early processing, reduced errors and payment on time within the deadlines set down in the Farmers’ Charter of Rights.
Benefits include an earlier application date, pre-checking, instant confirmation of receipt of application, reduced application errors and greater accuracy, maps online, text alert from the Department, payment on time within deadlines and linkages to other schemes, he added.
“The IFA has ensured that the pre-checking system for all online BPS applications introduced last year will be available again this year,” the deputy president said.
The IFA is due to meet the Department regarding resources to facilitate farmers in making an online application and this will be particularly relevant for farmers who don’t have access to broadband.
Read more
Online applicants benefit from preliminary checks
A further €1.4m issued to 386 farmers under GLAS
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