Minister Creed Reminds Farmers of 15 May Deadline

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, T.D today reminded farmers that the deadline to submit their 2020 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Beef Environmental Efficiency

Programme – Suckler (BEEP-S) applications online is Friday 15 May. The rate of submission of applications for 2020 BPS continues to be significantly ahead of last year’s rate and the BEEP-S applications are going well also.

The Department has been assisting farmers in making their applications in recent weeks through its telephone helpdesk services.  The Minister announced that this Lo-call telephone service will be available to farmers for extended hours in the run up to the deadline.

The helpdesk service telephone 0761 06 44 20  will now be available as follows:
• On Saturday 9 May from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm
• Between 9.15 am and 9.00 pm from Monday 11 May to Thursday 14 May
• Between 9.15 am and 12 midnight on Friday 15 May.

The Minister commented “The financial support provided under schemes is a key support for farmers.  I would urge all farmers to lodge their applications as soon as possible before the 15 May deadline.  Should any farmer require guidance in making their application, they should ring the Department’s helpdesk where a member of staff will be able to assist them.”

For assistance on registering for www.agfood.ie  as a first step in making an online application, farmers can contact the AgFood Registration Helpdesk on 0761 064424.  They can also contact this phone number should they require assistance to register an agricultural consultant or Teagasc adviser to apply on their behalf.  Applicants should note that they must register for www.agfood.ie as a first step before they can complete their applications.  Those who have not yet registered should do this as soon as possible.
For assistance on completing applications online, farmers can contact the Direct Payments  Helpdesk on 0761 064420.

Creed announces early commencement of Organic Farming Scheme balancing payments

The Minister of Agriculture Food and the Marine, Michael Creed T.D., today announced the early commencement of the balancing payments on the Organic Farming Scheme. The balancing payments will see over €1m paid to 1,200 farmers. These payments are being made two weeks earlier than last year.

The Minister stated “I am delighted to commence these balancing payments to organic farmers ahead of schedule. Payments of over €1 million under this scheme will commence issuing to 1,200 organic farmers from today. Just like the early payment of the GLAS balancing money, getting this money directly info farmer’s pockets is a key part of our Covid-19 response and will help to improve cashflow on Irish farms”.

The Minister added “this scheme is a key support measure that assists organic farmers in responding to the increasing consumer demand for organically produced food. Supporting the Organic sector has been a key strategy of this Government and our RDP organic farming scheme has resulted in a 50% increase in land farmed organically in Ireland, There is now over 74,000 ha farmed organically and our 2019-2025 Strategy for the Organic Sector has ambitious plans for its future development”.

At present, there are 1,530 organic farmers participating in the Organic Farming Scheme and annual payments under the Scheme amount to approximately €10 million.