McIlveen announces review of payment appeals system

Agriculture Minister Michelle McIlveen today announced that she has commissioned a review of the process by which farmers can ask DAERA to reconsider a decision of an area-based payment.

Miss McIlveen said: “Whilst the current ‘Review of Decisions’ process has been meeting objectives, I am nevertheless concerned by the time taken to issue final decisions.

“I have therefore asked my officials to review our current provision and put in place a process which better meets the needs of farmers for the 2017 Scheme year. This work will be taken forward in consultation with our stakeholders over the coming months. 

“However, my immediate priority is to address the timeliness of final decisions for those already awaiting reviews arising from the introduction of CAP Reform area-based schemes. Therefore, my officials will shortly engage with Stakeholders to determine a means by which ‘Review of Decisions’ can be streamlined and made more efficient.”

The introduction of the CAP Reform area based schemes has led to an unprecedented increase in the number of ‘Review of Decisions’ applications received by the Department.  ‘Review of  Decisions’ is an important part of the decision making process that provides farmers and farm businesses with the opportunity to seek a reconsideration, where they believe the Department did not reach the correct decision in respect of an area-based payment.  

Notes to editors: 

1. DAERA is not required under EU Regulations to operate a process to review decisions made in administering EU area based schemes. However in the interest of good governance, and in line with other UK jurisdictions DAERA has implemented a two-stage review of decisions process for EU Area based schemes, since 2005. The process provides applicants with a fair, impartial and transparent assessment of our decision against the framework of EU and National Regulations and Scheme rules.
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