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McConalogue confirms rollover of Farm Schemes in 2021

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., today confirmed that European Commission approval has been received for the continuity of farm schemes in 2021. 

Minister McConalogue said, “I am delighted to confirm that, following the approval by the European Commission of the amendment to the Rural Development Programme, we now have continuity of farm payments in 2021 for the main farm schemes, including GLAS, ANC, BDGP, Sheep Welfare and Organic Farming Scheme. The €628 million funding I secured in the national budget will ensure continuity for these schemes and ongoing support for the other schemes including Burren Programme, European Innovation Partnerships, Farm Partnerships and TAMS.” 

On the process, the Minister stated, “My Department will be in contact with farmers shortly about how to opt into schemes for 2021.  They will receive formal letters and SMS text messages. I want to ensure that I am protecting farm family incomes with the minimum of paperwork. So for now, farmers should consider whether they wish to continue in schemes in 2021, and be ready to reply when they are contacted by the Department.”

Minister McConalogue also welcomed the European Council conclusions agreed today on the Multi-Annual Financial Framework for the period 2021-2027,and looked forward to the early finalisation of the process by the Council and European Parliament. 

In conclusion the Minister stated that since  September  the Department has now paid out almost €1.68 billion directly to farmers for 2020 schemes.  See note for editors for the breakdown.

Note for Editors:

Arrangements for the schemes that are being extended.

GLAS

Farmers with GLAS 1 or 2 contracts which expire at 31 December 2020 will be offered an extension of 1 year.

• A letter to each participant is being posted on Monday 14th December 2020 advising them of their options and how to apply
• There will be 2 ways in which they may extend their contracts

1. By text message:  A text message will issue on Wednesday 16th December 2020 to each participant who is registered with the Department to receive texts, giving the option to reply ‘DAFM Y’ (for Yes) or ‘DAFM N’ (for No).  Participants will have 72 hours from receipt of the text message to reply.
2. By logging on to agfood.ie – to go live on Tuesday 15th December 2020;   an application may be submitted via agfood by  the participant or an agent authorised to act on his/her behalf in relation to GLAS –  the options provided are ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

• Any queries to GLAS section at glas@agriculture.gov.ie or to tel 0761-064451
• Closing date for receipt of their response is 31 December 2020.

Organic Farming Scheme

Farmers with Organic Farming Scheme contracts which expire at 31 December 2020 will be offered an extension of 1 year.

• A letter to each participant has issued  Thursday 10th December (arriving  over next few days) advising them of their options and how to apply.
• There will be 3 ways in which they can extend their contracts

1. By text message:  A text message will issue on Monday 14th December 2020 to each participant registered with the Department to receive texts, with the option to reply ‘DAFM Y’ (for Yes) or ‘DAFM N’ (for No).  Participant will have 72 hours from receipt of  the text message to reply.
2. By email to organic@agriculture.gov.ie advising that they wish to apply for an extension to their Organic Farming Scheme contract. 
3. By registered post to Organic Unit, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co Wexford, Y35 PN52. 

Any queries to Organic Unit at   Tel.   0761-064451 .

Closing date for receipt of their response is 31st December 2020.

BDGP

Letters will be issuing to the relevant farmers from week beginning 14th December offering them the opportunity to apply for a further year in BDGP.  Farmers will be able to apply by logging in to agfood.ie , or by replying to a text  that will issue from the Department if they are registered to receive texts.

 The application process will be open from 14th December 2020 to 15th January 2021 and the relevant information will be included in the letters issuing to farmers next week.

ANC

Applications for ANC in 2021 will be handled alongside the 2021 BPS applications, the same as in previous years. The closing date is expected to be in mid May 2021

Sheep Welfare Scheme

Applications for the Sheep Welfare Scheme in 2021 will be done in the same way as in previous years. The Department will be writing to participants shortly with more details

Breakdown of scheme payments to date in 2020