April deadline reminder for transferring Single Farm Payment entitlements

Farmers are reminded that the deadline for submitting applications for the transfer of payment entitlements for the 2009 scheme year is 2 April 2009.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) encourages farmers to submit their transfer applications well in advance of the 2 April 2009 deadline. This allows any queries to be resolved and, if necessary, a revised application to be submitted before the deadline.

It may not be possible to process transfer applications received either on or just before 2 April 2009 by 15 May 2009 which is the deadline for submitting the 2009 IACS / Single Application Form. Farmers should therefore submit their transfer applications to the Department as early as possible to avoid any complications with 2009 Single Applications (IACS).

Farmers who have inherited payment entitlements should make sure that, as soon as probate has been cleared, the Executor or Personal Representative for the deceased’s estate sends DARD a transfer application to transfer the entitlements to the beneficiary.  This must be done as soon as possible and before 2 April deadline.  

From 1 January 2009, National Reserve (NR) entitlements have been converted to standard entitlements.  This change makes it easier to trade these entitlements which prior to 1 January 2009 could only have been traded through inheritance.  These converted entitlements continue to have the same value and you can trade these providing all the rules relating to trading standard entitlements are met.

If you wish to trade converted entitlements for the 2009 SFP Scheme Year, you should complete and return your application well in advance of 2 April 2009.

Completed application forms for the transfer of payment entitlements for the 2009 scheme year should be returned to the Single Farm Payment Trading/Entitlements Section, Orchard House.

Notes to Editors:

1. Single Farm Payment Branch, Orchard House, 40 Foyle Street, Londonderry, BT48 6AT, as soon as possible and no later than 2 April 2008. Application packs can be obtained from the same address.
2. Transfer of Entitlement application forms (TE1) and Guidance Booklets are available on request from the Trading/Entitlement Section, Single Farm Payment Branch, Orchard House, Tel: 028 7131 9900.
3. The person receiving entitlements must be registered and approved by DARD as a farm business.  Farmers who are considering buying or leasing payment entitlements or who have inherited entitlements and are not already approved as a farm business should contact their local Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) office for advice and an application form FB1.
4. The conversion of National Reserve (NR) entitlements to standard entitlements is as a result of the European Union’s (EU) recent Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Health Check.
5. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, Tel: 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.