The Department of Agriculture has warned that illegally burned agricultural and eligible forestry land would be deemed ineligible for payment for other area-based schemes in addition to the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS).

Around 160 farmers have so far been told some of their land is ineligible for BPS payment because it was illegally burned, the Department has confirmed to the Irish Farmers Journal. “This may result in reduced payment and penalties under these schemes,” a Department spokesperson said.

He said farmers whose land was burned were given the chance to remove the ineligible land back in May. Farmers who had included illegally burned land in their original 2017 BPS application could remove the land using an amendment form up to 31 May.

Satellite imagery

Satellite imagery was used to identify land parcels that were illegally burned during the closed period of 1 March and 31 August this year.

“The applicants concerned have been written to by the Department, outlining the current position in relation to their BPS applications and setting out the options available to them in relation to the over-claimed parcels, including the right to seek a review,” the Department said.

Review

Farmers who want to have their case reviewed have been told to submit any supporting documentation which they deem relevant for review by the Department.

It has not been specified exactly what supporting documentation should be submitted, with the Department saying “account will be taken of whatever documentation is submitted by applicants, including affidavit evidence”.

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