23 February, 2018 in Industry News

2018 Online Single Application & Maps Service available from 1 March

DAERA (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs) have announced that the 2018 online Single Application and Maps Service will be available from 1 March 2018

The key point to remember is that DAERA no longer issues a paper version of the Single Application. All applications must be completed online by yourself or someone acting on your behalf. The Single Application and Maps Service should also be used to inform DAERA of any changes to your land as this can no longer be done on paper.

You can apply online via the DAERA Online Services page.

The Single Application is the method for claiming any of the following schemes:

  • Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening Payment
  • Young Farmers' Payment (YFP)
  • Regional Reserve Entitlement allocation or top up (As Young Farmer or New Entrant)
  • Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) Agreements
  • Northern Ireland Countryside Management Scheme (NICMS)
  • Farm Woodland Premium Scheme (FWPS)
  • Farm Woodland Scheme (FWS)
  • Forest Expansion Scheme (Annual Premia)

There is information and guidance and 'how to' videos available on the DAERA website.

CHECK ALL INFORMATION

The advice from DAERA is if you don't farm it, don't claim it.  If you do farm it, make sure you can provide evidence to demonstrate it.  Allow yourself adequate time to check all your information to ensure it is correct.  You can only claim on land where the agricultural activity being carried out is under your control.  You may be asked to provide evidence to demonstrate that you are actively farming the land on which you are claiming Basic Payment.  Only one applicant can activate entitlements on each field.  Make sure that you meet the eligibility criteria to apply and avoid duplicate field penalties.

A check list of key points is available via the DAERA website.

The following is some of the key dates to bear in mind when planning to complete your application:

1 March - 15 May
Single Application & Maps Application window open
16 May - 31 May
Applications submitted by 15 May deadline can be amended to increase or decrease the area you have claimed between these dates without penalty
16 May - 11 June
Applications received on or between these dates will be penalised by 1% reduction on your payment for each working day it is late. For applications to the Regional Reserve the reduction increases to 4% for each working day it is late.
1 June - 11 June
Applications already received can also be amended between these dates to increase the area you have claimed by adding fields, but you will be penalised on the amended fields by a 1% reduction on your payment for each working day it is late. For applications to the Regional Reserve, the reduction increases to 4% for each working day it is late.
You can reduce fields/areas during this period without penalty.
11 June
This is the final date for receiving applications or increasing the area you have claimed on your Single Application.  You can still reduce the area you have claimed after this date without penalty, for example, by removing a field but only if we have not already notified you of a penalty or a planned inspection.

 

Leasing and Selling Arrangements / New Farm Business

If there are changes to your business you may need to register these details via DAERA Online Services.  Guidance booklets and forms relating to business changes are available to download from the DEARA website or you can obtain a copy from your local DAERA Direct Office.

 

Land damage by floods in August 2017 - Force Majeure

If your land was damage as a result of floods on 22 August 2017 and remains temporarily unavailable for agricultural activity or eligible woodland use during the whole or part of the 2018 scheme year, you must include that land on your 2018 Single Application and submit an application for force majeure (Form FML 1) along with your 2018 Single Application.

You must provide evidence of the efforts made / steps taken to return this land to agricultural activity to date together with an indication of when this land will come back into agricultural use for consideration.  Land which will return to agricultural use within a reasonable time without intervention as a result of natural regeneration will also be considered.

 

Full details are available via DEARA or alternatively, our team can help you with any initial queries you may have.

 

 

 

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Whilst every effort has been made by CavanaghKelly to ensure the accuracy of the information here, it cannot be guaranteed and neither CavanaghKelly nor any related entity shall have liability to any person who relies on the information herein. Information given here is for guidance only. Detailed professional advice should be taken before acting on any information contained herein. If having read the guidance here, you would like to discuss further; a member of our team would be pleased to help you.