Teagasc Advisers and Farmers Work Together on Single Farm Payment
28 March 2006
Teagasc’s advisory campaign to assist farmers with their 2006 Single Farm Payment application forms is in full swing. These payments are worth a total of E1.326 billion in direct subsidy to farmers and it all hinges on this one application period.
The Director of Advisory Services with Teagasc, Pat Boyle said, “the forms have arrived with farmers and Teagasc Advisers right around the country are working closely with their clients to ensure that these important application forms are filled in correctly and on time”.
Pat Boyle said, “In the first year of the scheme Teagasc assisted a record 44,000 farmers to secure their Single Farm Payment, a 20% increase in the number of farmer clients compared to the previous year. We are working hard again this year to ensure that everyone gets their full entitlement”.
A number of important changes to the Single Farm Payment application forms were made this year. Teagasc advisers are providing a comprehensive one-to-one service for clients and other farmers to ensure that the Single Farm Payment is fully claimed.
Pat Boyle said, “with virtually all of a farmer’s premium now coming in the one cheque, the day the application form is filled out is one of the most important day’s work done in the whole year. It is essential to get it right, so that delayed payments or penalties are avoided”.
“Our advice is to contact your local Teagasc adviser straight away to make an early appointment. Bringing copies of last years application form, your REPS plan, and copies of 2000, 2001 and 2002 area aid applications, will help to resolve any potential difficulties quickly”, he said.
The deadline for submitting applications is April 24.
