BISS now open for applications

The application process for the 2025 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS), Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS), Eco-Schemes and the other related schemes has now opened.

Making the announcement, today, February 11, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon T.D. urged farmers and advisors to avail of the opening to ensure applications are processed well in advance of the closing date for BISS applications on May 15, 2025.

With information packs, containing their maps and land details for 2025, set to arrive via post, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has reminded farmers to check the information contained within carefully.

Terms and conditions

In advance of completing the BISS application, DAFM has also reminded farmers to carefully read the terms and conditions. Tillage farmers are encouraged the see changes around GAEC 7 (Crop Rotation and Diversification in Arable Lands), whereas GAEC 2 (Protecting Peatlands and Wetlands) will be applicable for 2025, and farmers affected will be notified in due course, DAFM said, if the land parcels affected and the obligations applying to those land parcels.

To view the full terms and conditions of the BISS scheme, please visit the DAFM website.

Other schemes

Additionally, farmers have been reminded to check that they have correctly applied for the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC), ECO, and continued participation in Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers, if applicable.

Other scheme applications may also be made during this online application process, including for the Straw Incorporation Measure, ACRES and the Organic Farming Scheme, along with the Multi-species Sward Measure and the Red Clover Silage Measure. However, for some ACRES participants, the ability to apply online will not be available for the first few weeks.