Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affair’s Minister, Andrew Muir, has announced that the £267million Single Application and Map Service and the Entitlements Transfer Service are open from today, 1 March 2024.
Funding is available to farm businesses for Direct Payments this year and these payments represent the main source of income for many local farmers.
Minister Muir said: “I am delighted to announce that the 2024 Single Application and Maps Service and the Entitlements Transfer Service are now open. This is a substantial funding package worth £267m. The payments help ensure the resilience of farm businesses and represents our commitment to farming families and the rural economy right across Northern Ireland.”
The Minister added: “I would urge all farmers to apply early in order to avoid any penalties.”
Applications to the 2024 Single Application and Maps Service, and Entitlements Transfer Service can be made via DAERA’s Online Services from 1 March. Single Applications must be submitted by Wednesday 15 May, to avoid late claim penalties. The last date to submit Single Applications is Monday 10 June. Entitlement Transfer applications must be submitted by Thursday 2 May.
The Single Application is the method for claiming any of the following schemes:
- Basic Payment Scheme (BPS);
- Young Farmers’ Payment (YFP);
- Regional Reserve Entitlement allocation or top up (as a Young Farmer or New Entrant);
- Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS);
- Farm Woodland Premium Scheme (FWPS);
- Farm Woodland Scheme (FWS);
- Forest Expansion Scheme (Annual Premia);
- Small Woodland Grant Scheme (SWGS); or
- Protein Crop Scheme.
Farmers should also use the Single Application and Map Service to notify DAERA of any changes to their land in 2024. This should be done as early as possible to avoid delays in payment.
If farmers require help or guidance with an application, they should call DAERA’s Advisory Service helpline on 0300 200 7848 or email areabasedschemes@daera-ni.gov.uk. In addition to these Services there is a convenient web-chat facility within the application for instant advice when applying.
Applications to the 2024 Single Application and Maps Service, and Entitlements Transfer Service will continue to receive DAERA Messaging to confirm the Single Application and Entitlement transferor submission is complete. This service is secure, convenient, and environmentally friendly.
Farmers are urged to regularly check their emails for communications from DAERA Area-based Schemes. All farmers are encouraged to ensure the e-mail address held for them is up to date. Registration for a DAERA online account can be accessed on the DAERA website.
Notes to editors:
- The online Single Application and Map Service has built-in help and warning messages to assist farmers to complete their applications;
- Download Guidance documents and ‘how to’ videos - the videos provide step-by-step instructions on completing your Single Application, including how to make changes to fields or features within a field.
- The Advisory Service can be contacted on 0300 200 7848, for help and guidance on how to submit an application. Farmers can also email: areabasedschemes@daera-ni.gov.uk. Advisors will be ready to help Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm;
- Alternatively, an agent or trusted person can be nominated by farmers to complete the application on their behalf. Forms to nominate an authorised person can be downloaded from the DAERA website. Farmers can also opt in to receive emails and SMS text messages to keep up to date with scheme news and reminders on key dates. To do so, farmers should update their preferences on the ‘Personal Details’ page of their DAERA Online Services account, ensuring their email and mobile are up to date.
- Follow DAERA on Twitter and Facebook.
- All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk
- The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800 hrs and 0800 hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.