Preparing for your 2025 BISS Appointment
Farmers now need to book their BISS appointment with their Teagasc advisor and plan ahead to make it a successful consultation, Teagasc Schemes Support Specialist, Mairead Kirk tells us more.
We are entering a very busy time for Teagasc advisors, as they assist their clients to complete their 2025 BISS applications. Farmers now need to book their appointment with their Teagasc advisor and plan ahead to make it a successful consultation.
Your BISS appointment also gives you the opportunity to raise other issues with your advisor, such as farm succession, farm finances or plans for an investment. While these issues may not be dealt with on the day, flagging them with your advisor will allow for farm visits to be organised after the BISS 2025 campaign.
Before your BISS 2025 Appointment:
- Check the maps and land parcels list that you have received in the post from the Department of Agriculture and note any changes that you wish to make on your 2025 application.
- Inform your advisor if there has been any change on your herd number e.g. company formed, entered a farm partnership, brought in a daughter or son through a joint venture etc.
- Your BISS 2025 application also determines your participation in CRISS, ANC, Eco-Scheme, Protein Aid, Organic farming, Straw Incorporation, Multi Species Scheme, Red Clover scheme and the CIS Young Farmer Scheme. Make sure you select to enter all schemes of relevance to you.
- Ensure that BISS land parcel use declarations match the requirements for any schemes you will be participating in during 2025 e.g. Acres
- Check that all landscape features such as hedges, stone walls, drains, scrub and habitats have been identified and included in the Spaces for Nature calculation.
- Mark out on your maps any areas that should be reduced/excluded due to new roadways, buildings, sites etc.
- Check entitlement position to ensure sufficient land is declared to claim all your entitlements. If entitlements need to be transferred in or out, a transfer of entitlements application must be submitted.
- If you are eligible for the young farmer scheme remember that it runs for a five year period so you need to confirm your continuation on your BISS application or submit a new application where the slider button is not available.
After your BISS 2025 Appointment
Make sure you read through all the documentation given to you at the end of your appointment by your advisor. Satisfy yourself that all submissions made are in line with your requests. File the copy of your BISS 2025 application carefully so you can refer to it at a later date if needs be. The closing date for BISS is 15th May 2025 but remember to book your appointment early in order to avoid errors/penalties.