A steady stream of farmers attended the first Department clinic in Cavan on Tuesday, where officials told the Irish Farmers Journal that 30,000 BPS applications had been completed online as of that morning.
This is the first year that all farmers must apply for the scheme through the website Agfood.ie. The Department opened BPS applications on 7 February this year to give those unfamiliar with the system more time. Some other EU countries are only accepting BPS applications from this week.
First time online
Most farmers attending the Cavan clinic needed help to access the online service for the first time. Eight stations manned by Department staff with laptops were on the go at the clinic to go through the process with farmers, from initial registration on Agfood.ie to completion of their application for the BPS and associated schemes.
The clinic opened at 8.30am. "It was supposed to open at 9am, but people were here and we were ready," said Noel Dinneny from the Department of Agriculture.
It was due to end at 12.30pm to move to Co Louth for the afternoon, but the team had to split to stay on to deal with all farmers lining up for assistance in Cavan late in the morning.
I aim to do it myself the next time
"I'm not computer wise," said beef farmer Oliver McGovern from Corlough near Belturbet, who came to apply online for the first time. "But I aim to do it myself the next time."
Anthony Donohoe, Mullahoran, Cavan, at the Department of Agriculture BPS clinic, Cavan, where Department officials helped farmers fill out online BPS forms. / Lorraine TeevanMost farmers in attendance had similar needs and several told the
Irish Farmers Journal that they didn't have a computer or a strong enough connection at home to apply online. All who attended completed their application at the clinic and were happy with the help they received from Department staff.
"I met a very nice fella in there. He helped me and it didn't take 10 minutes," said suckler and sheep farmer Anthony Donohoe from Mullahoran (pictured).
Farmers can also get assistance by phone at the following numbers or at the payments office in Portlaoise:
076-106 4424 in relation to queries on registering for www.agfood.ie – for example queries on lost passwords, how to register etc.076-106 4420 in relation to queries on actually completing the BPS application once registered on www.agfood.ie or to enquire about the one-to-one clinics. Read more
Full schedule: BPS clinics around the country
In pictures: how to make a Basic Payment Scheme application online
Avoiding fines: how to make sure your land is eligible for BPS
A steady stream of farmers attended the first Department clinic in Cavan on Tuesday, where officials told the Irish Farmers Journal that 30,000 BPS applications had been completed online as of that morning.
This is the first year that all farmers must apply for the scheme through the website Agfood.ie. The Department opened BPS applications on 7 February this year to give those unfamiliar with the system more time. Some other EU countries are only accepting BPS applications from this week.
First time online
Most farmers attending the Cavan clinic needed help to access the online service for the first time. Eight stations manned by Department staff with laptops were on the go at the clinic to go through the process with farmers, from initial registration on Agfood.ie to completion of their application for the BPS and associated schemes.
The clinic opened at 8.30am. "It was supposed to open at 9am, but people were here and we were ready," said Noel Dinneny from the Department of Agriculture.
It was due to end at 12.30pm to move to Co Louth for the afternoon, but the team had to split to stay on to deal with all farmers lining up for assistance in Cavan late in the morning.
I aim to do it myself the next time
"I'm not computer wise," said beef farmer Oliver McGovern from Corlough near Belturbet, who came to apply online for the first time. "But I aim to do it myself the next time."
Anthony Donohoe, Mullahoran, Cavan, at the Department of Agriculture BPS clinic, Cavan, where Department officials helped farmers fill out online BPS forms. / Lorraine TeevanMost farmers in attendance had similar needs and several told the
Irish Farmers Journal that they didn't have a computer or a strong enough connection at home to apply online. All who attended completed their application at the clinic and were happy with the help they received from Department staff.
"I met a very nice fella in there. He helped me and it didn't take 10 minutes," said suckler and sheep farmer Anthony Donohoe from Mullahoran (pictured).
Farmers can also get assistance by phone at the following numbers or at the payments office in Portlaoise:
076-106 4424 in relation to queries on registering for www.agfood.ie – for example queries on lost passwords, how to register etc.076-106 4420 in relation to queries on actually completing the BPS application once registered on www.agfood.ie or to enquire about the one-to-one clinics. Read more
Full schedule: BPS clinics around the country
In pictures: how to make a Basic Payment Scheme application online
Avoiding fines: how to make sure your land is eligible for BPS
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