DAERA Minister announces the opening dates for the 2026 Single Application and Map Service and the Entitlement Transfer Service
Date published:
DAERA Minister, Andrew Muir, has advised that the 2026 Single Application and Map Service opened on the 2 March, with the opening of the Entitlement Transfer Service following at 9am on the 10 March. Both services will remain open until the 15 May.
Minister Muir said: “Significant funding is available for farm businesses through the Single Application which provides much needed support for farming families to develop more environmentally sustainable, efficient and resilient businesses.”
The Minister added: “This year sees the introduction of the Farm Sustainability Payment (FSP) under the Sustainable Agriculture Programme (SAP). FSP brings several key changes with the Farm Sustainability Standards (FSS) replacing Cross-Compliance and new land eligibility rules coming into effect. There are also important changes regarding eligibility for FSP and businesses may need to take action to retain their entitlements in 2026, especially those that lease out entitlements, so it is imperative farm businesses are aware of these changes.”
Further information on the key changes for 2026 can be found at: Agricultural & Environmental Schemes.
The Single Application is the method for claiming any of the following schemes:
- Farm Sustainability Payment (FSP);
- Young Farmers’ Payment (YFP);
- Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS);
- Farm Woodland Premium Scheme (FWPS);
- Farm Woodland Scheme (FWS);
- Forest Expansion Scheme (Annual Premia);
- Small Woodland Grant Scheme (SWGS);
- Protein Crops Scheme
The Single Application and Map Service also allows farmers to notify DAERA of any changes to their land in 2026. Again, this should be done early to avoid penalties.
Farmers are encouraged to submit their Single Application without delay via DAERA Online Services, and before 15 May to avoid late claim penalties. The final date for Single Applications is 9 June.
The application period for transferring FSP Scheme entitlements this year will open on 10 March and close on 15 May 2026. Farmers, or their agents, who wish to transfer entitlements for the 2026 Scheme year must do so during this period.
Minister Muir noted: “The unit value of entitlements for the 2026 scheme year can only be confirmed once an Executive agreed Budget and my subsequent funding position is known. Farm businesses should be aware that these figures may be subject to review following agreement of the Executive budget. Once my final funding position is known my officials will confirm the unit value of entitlements.”
Should farmers need support when completing their Single Application they can email agriculturalandenvironmentalschemes@daera-ni.gov.uk or call 0300 200 7848. For all other queries please visit our webpages at the link above.
Notes to editors:
- The online Single Application and Map Service has built-in help and warning messages to assist farmers to complete their applications.
- Guidance documents and ‘how to’ videos will be available at How to Videos Library. The videos provide step-by-step instructions on completing your Single Application, including how to make changes to fields or features within a field.
- For scheme information, support and guidance on how to submit an application the team will be ready to help Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Farmers can email: agriculturalandenvironmentalschemes@daera-ni.gov.uk or call 0300 200 7848.
- Alternatively, an agent or trusted person can be nominated by farmers to complete the application on their behalf. Guidance is available at: Online Agent Nomination.
- Follow DAERA on X formerly called Twitter and Facebook.
- All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk or telephone: 028 9016 3460.
- The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours’ service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.