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Farmers' opportunity to correct farm maps

Monday, 4 June 2007

Agriculture Minister, Michelle Gildernew, has offered farmers an opportunity to correct their farm maps and 2007 Single Applications.

During today’s Assembly debate on Single Farm Payments the Minister said: “At the Balmoral show, I mentioned that the Department would be writing to those who, from early 2000, had received full planning approval for single dwellings, asking them to ensure that any land on which there is a building or other permanent features, such as yards or laneways, are excluded from fields on their current maps.

“Claiming on these types of ineligible areas slows down processing of applications, even though in many instances the money involved is small.”

Appealing to farmers to check their farm maps for discrepancies, the Minister said: “We need you to help us to help you. I appreciate that farmers have now sent in their annual applications and may be reluctant to go back to their maps. However, a quick check now may avoid a delay in payment. If a farmer removes an ineligible area before the Department identifies this as an irregularity, there may be adjustments needed for earlier years but there will be no penalty reduction in respect of the 2007 payment.”

Ms Gildernew emphasised “My department and farmers need to work together to resolve these matters now and not have them building up for future years.

“I have arranged for additional DARD counter staff to be available from 10 - 26 June to help farmers who wish to call in and sort out their maps or 2007 IACS Single Application Form.

“Before going to their local office, farmers should measure (by pacing out) any ineligible areas which need to be deducted from their fields.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. DARD will be issuing letters and accompanying GIS3 forms to farmers from Friday 8 June.
  2. Farmers will have until 26 June to advise the Department of any changes in relation to ineligible areas. After this date penalties may apply.
  3. Ineligible areas include houses and other buildings, gardens, laneways, dense scrub, woodland, lanes, pathways. If in any doubt, farmers should contact their local office for advice.
  4. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, Tel: 028 9052 4619.