The Minister for Agriculture has announced extra supports for farmers who are not in a position to apply online for the 2018 Basic Payment Scheme and Transfer of Entitlements applications.
Minister Michael Creed says increasing numbers of farmers are finding the best way of applying for the BPS and ANC is online, and almost 20,000 farmers have already applied since the online process opened early last month.
However, for farmers not in a position to make online applications, staff from the Department will be available to meet with farmers on a one-to-one basis at various locations across the country, to assist them in making their applications.
As well as existing supports- such as telephone helplines and instructional videos, clinics will be held throughout the country during April, where farmers can sit down with a Department official and make their online BPS or Transfer of Entitlements application on the spot.
The closing date for Basic Payment Scheme applications is 15th May.
In this region, clinics will take place on Tuesday 10th April in the Radisson Blu Hotel Sligo in the morning and at Hannon’s Hotel in Roscommon Town in the afternoon
On Friday morning 13th April in the Shearwater Hotel, Ballinasloe,
On Wed 18th April in the Station House Clifden in the morning, and at Knock House Hotel in Mayo from 4-7.30pm
The following day 19th April in Peacock’s Hotel, Maam Cross from 9am to 12.30 and Sullivan’s Hotel in Gort in the afternoon,
On Tues 24th April at the Twin Trees Hotel in Ballina from 9am to 12.30 and the Ard Rí House Hotel in Tuam that afternoon, and on Monday 30th April in the Broadhaven Bay Hotel, Belmullet in the morning and the TF Royal Hotel in Castlebar from 4pm to 7.30.
Under EU regulations, this is the first year that all applications for the BPS and ANC schemes must be submitted online, and Minister Creed says these extra supports being rolled out by his Department will ensure that all farmers can access these vital schemes.
