IFA MEET DEPARTMENT ON 2012 SINGLE FARM PAYMENT APPLICATION

With the on-line Single Farm Payment application set to open by mid-February, IFA Deputy President Eddie Downey met senior officials in the Department of Agriculture in Portlaoise and highlighted the need for earlier applications, speedier problem solving, processing and payments under the 2012 scheme.

Eddie Downey said the Department of Agriculture has given IFA a commitment that on-line applications will be processed earlier and any problems will be dealt with well before the payment deadlines including earlier digitisation of any land parcels, where necessary.

He made it very clear to the Department that maps, digitisation, processing delays or inspections cannot be allowed to hold up 2012 payments later in the year.  The Department gave a commitment to bring forward digitising work by 3 months in 2012.

The IFA Deputy President said there are significant advantages in submitting on-line SFP applications.  “Apart from the commitment to be processed and paid earlier by the Department, farmers and their agents can make changes to their applications and maps online.”  He said last year 54,000 applications were made on-line and every effort should be made to increase this number for 2012.

He said that it is important farmers make sure that their agent is officially registered with the Department of Agriculture. “The Department confirmed that maps will be sent to all farmers over the next 2 weeks. These are the most up-to-date maps from the Department but it is vitally important that farmers check the accuracy in detail and make any appropriate and necessary adjustments prior to submitting their applications.”

The IFA Deputy President said given the importance of direct payments to farm income it was vital that farmers make sure that their SFP application is made correctly and on time.  He said as this application is necessary for all schemes including the Single Farm Payment, Disadvantaged Areas, REPS 4, AEOS, Sheep Grassland, Suckler Cow Welfare, Dairy and Beef Discussion groups and other schemes, it is absolutely essential that no mistakes are made.

On 2011 payments, the Department confirmed that 122,090 farmers have been paid €1.221bn in SFP, 99,800 farmers have been paid €220.5m in Disadvantaged Area Payment and 27,067 sheep farmers have been paid €15.74m under the Sheep Grassland scheme.  Payments under the Burren Life and Dairy Efficiency scheme are due to commence in the next 2 weeks.

Mr. Downey said any outstanding payment cases including inspections cases should be tidied up and paid by the Department without further delay.

With the on-line Single Farm Payment application set to open by mid-February, IFA Deputy President Eddie Downey met senior officials in the Department of Agriculture in Portlaoise and highlighted the need for earlier applications, speedier problem solving, processing and payments under the 2012 scheme.

Eddie Downey said the Department of Agriculture has given IFA a commitment that on-line applications will be processed earlier and any problems will be dealt with well before the payment deadlines including earlier digitisation of any land parcels, where necessary.

He made it very clear to the Department that maps, digitisation, processing delays or inspections cannot be allowed to hold up 2012 payments later in the year.  The Department gave a commitment to bring forward digitising work by 3 months in 2012.

The IFA Deputy President said there are significant advantages in submitting on-line SFP applications.  “Apart from the commitment to be processed and paid earlier by the Department, farmers and their agents can make changes to their applications and maps online.”  He said last year 54,000 applications were made on-line and every effort should be made to increase this number for 2012.

He said that it is important farmers make sure that their agent is officially registered with the Department of Agriculture. “The Department confirmed that maps will be sent to all farmers over the next 2 weeks. These are the most up-to-date maps from the Department but it is vitally important that farmers check the accuracy in detail and make any appropriate and necessary adjustments prior to submitting their applications.”

The IFA Deputy President said given the importance of direct payments to farm income it was vital that farmers make sure that their SFP application is made correctly and on time.  He said as this application is necessary for all schemes including the Single Farm Payment, Disadvantaged Areas, REPS 4, AEOS, Sheep Grassland, Suckler Cow Welfare, Dairy and Beef Discussion groups and other schemes, it is absolutely essential that no mistakes are made.

On 2011 payments, the Department confirmed that 122,090 farmers have been paid €1.221bn in SFP, 99,800 farmers have been paid €220.5m in Disadvantaged Area Payment and 27,067 sheep farmers have been paid €15.74m under the Sheep Grassland scheme.  Payments under the Burren Life and Dairy Efficiency scheme are due to commence in the next 2 weeks.

Mr. Downey said any outstanding payment cases including inspections cases should be tidied up and paid by the Department without further delay.