From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, has confirmed that 128,712 farmers applied online for the new Basic Income Support for Sustainable (BISS) and other area-based schemes before the 29 May deadline.
The Minister commented:
“I am delighted to confirm that so many farmers have applied for the new BISS and other area-based schemes in 2023. This is a really significant milestone in the first year of the new CAP. This application is the cornerstone of all the area-based schemes run by my department.”
This application includes a range of schemes including the new Eco scheme, Complementary Redistribution Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS), Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers (CIS-YF), Protein Aid, Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) and Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) and the annual claims for Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) and the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS). Scheme breakdown, where available, is in Notes for Editors below.
The Minister added:
“I am particularly pleased with the update on the Eco scheme, with over 96% of farmers choosing to participate. This demonstrates farmers’ willingness to undertake actions that are beneficial for the climate and the environment.”
The Minister concluded:
“It is really positive that so many farmers have applied before the deadline. This figure reflects the massive effort made by FAS Advisors and by my department to assist farmers with the new schemes and requirements. My department held 10 Information sessions and 25 one-to-one clinics around the country. I am very pleased that over 3,200 farmers were assisted at these events and at the public office in Portlaoise. My department made over 1,500 calls to farmers in the run up to the deadline, for example if farmers had not applied for ANC, and over 23,200 calls were answered by the Direct Payments Helpdesk during the application window. We want every eligible farmer to maximise their payments because everyone in the department knows how crucial they are to so many farm families.”
Applications will be accepted after the 29 May closing date. However, there will be a 1% per day penalty, as per the Terms and Conditions.
Where farmers have made their BISS and other area based schemes application, but now wish to make an amendment, they may make such changes online at www.agfood.ie until midnight on Tuesday 14 June 2023, without any penalty.
Farmers and Advisors are reminded that the deadline for the transfer of Payment Entitlement has been extended until midnight on 14 June 2023. This extension applies to the transfer of Payment Entitlements only.
| SCHEME | Applications submitted * |
| TOTAL* | 125,827 |
| BISS | 124,664 |
| CRISS | 124,664 |
| ECO | 121,603 |
| ANC | 117,546 |
*Note figures in table excludes 2,885 Temporary Reference Number applications and are subject to administrative checks to determine eligibility.