Last call for return of 2010 single applications

Farmers are reminded that the closing date for submitting their 2010 Single Application is 15 May 2010. As 15 May 2010 is a Saturday, applications will be accepted on Monday 17 May 2010 without penalty.

Application forms received by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) after 17 May 2010 and by 11 June 2010 will incur late application penalties. Forms received on 12 June 2010 and after will be rejected.

Up to the present, in the region of 7,000 application forms have been received. Farm businesses that lodged Single Applications in 2009 have been issued with 2010 Single Application packs. Businesses that did not lodge an application in 2009, or have not yet received a pack, can obtain one by contacting their local DARD office. Guidance on the completion of the application is provided in the guide on how to complete your 2010 Single Application and Field Data Sheet. This booklet was included in the application pack.

Last year, many farmers claimed land for SFP which was not eligible. It is strongly recommended that, before completing their 2010 application, farmers check their most recent farm maps to make sure these reflect the current situation in their fields today. Buildings, laneways or other ineligible features should be removed and farmers should use the green Form GIS 2, included with their application pack, to tell the Department about these changes. They should also ensure that their field data sheet reflects the updated position.

Farmers who have already submitted their 2010 Single Application, and now discover they have made a mistake, or have used an out-of-date map, should immediately amend their claim by completing the SAF 3 form provided in their application pack.

Farmers should also remember that from 2010, entitlements need to be activated at least once every two years. Farmers who did not activate their entitlements in 2009, must do so in 2010 to avoid them being confiscated and returned to the National Reserve. Farmers should keep a close eye on their entitlements as the Department has no option other than to apply the new activation rules set by the EU.

Businesses that have applied to transfer entitlements for the 2010 scheme year by sale or lease, and who have not yet been notified of the outcome, should bear in mind when completing their 2010 Single Application that entitlements belong to the business approved by DARD as holding the entitlements at 15 May 2010.

Staff at local offices are available to assist with queries about the application process and to deal with notifications of changes to farm maps. Local offices report increased demand for map changes compared with previous years, so if farmers need to go to their local office they are encouraged to do so well in advance of the 17 May closing date.

Farmers may also submit their Single Application online. Anyone considering using this method of application for the first time should contact DARD’s Online Services Team on 028 9442 6699 or visit the DARD website before 8 May to complete the registration process that allows access to the online service.

Notes to editors:

1. Farmers must complete a 2010 IACS/Single Application Form to apply for 2010 Single Farm Payment, 2011 Less Favoured Areas Compensatory Allowance and to apply for payment under approvals effective from 1 January 2009 under the NI Countryside Management and Organic Farming schemes.
2. The EU require that SFP entitlements have to be activated at least once every two years (prior to 2010 this requirement was once every three years). If entitlements are not activated they are lost and their value returned to the National Reserve.
3. Information about the online application service can be found on the DARD website.
4. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, Telephone 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.