Poots announces opening date for opening of £300million Single Application funding

Agriculture and Environment Minister, Edwin Poots, has announced that farm businesses can apply for their Single Application funding from 1 March 2022.

DAERA Minister Edwin Poots launches the Single Application and Maps and Entitlement Transfer Services for 2022 at the farm of Andrew Wilson in Moira.

He said the funding, totalling some £300million, is the largest source of income for local farmers.

“I am delighted to announce that the 2022 Single Application and Maps Service and Entitlements Transfer Service will open on Tuesday, 1 March. I would encourage all farmers to apply early so they don’t miss out on this funding which is the single largest source of income for them,” said Minister Poots.

 “We have seen over recent years the importance and value of our local high quality food sector and the need to ensure the financial viability of these businesses. Our food producers should have confidence in their future so I would urge all farmers to apply early and use our Advisory Service helpline on 0300 200 7848 if they need any help or guidance.”

Single Applications and Entitlement Transfer applications can be submitted via DAERA’s Online Service from 1 March. The Entitlement Transfer Service will close on 3 May. Single Applications must be submitted by 16 May to avoid a late claim penalty. The last date for accepting Single Applications is 9 June.

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 Crops Scheme.

Minister Poots continued: “The Protein Crops Scheme was a huge success in 2021 and will be available again in 2022. This scheme aims to encourage the production of combinable beans, peas and sweet lupins in Northern Ireland and is worth up to £330 per hectare, providing the 1,000 hectare cap is not reached. I would encourage farmers to consider planting these crops and applying for the support available on their Single Application.”

Farmers should also use the Single Application and Map Service to notify the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) of any changes to their land.

Farmers should submit their applications as soon as possible from 1 March 2022 onwards to allow adequate time to check all their information and ensure it is correct to avoid unnecessary penalties.

Customers logging-on to DAERA Online Services in 2022 will be taken through a ‘two-factor authentication’ process, involving a security code sent to their mobile or email address. This process is similar to that used for online banking, or other such services, and is now standard for online accounts.

Notes to editors: 

1. DAERA will provide the following help to farmers to complete their applications:
   • The online Single Application and Map Service has built-in help and warning messages to assist farmers to complete their application;
   • Guidance documents and ‘how to’ videos will be available on the DAERA website; 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 9.00 am to 5.00 pm;
   • 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. 
2. The total area eligible for payment under the Protein Crops Scheme will be capped at 1,000 hectares in 2022. If more than 1,000 hectares is determined as eligible, a linear scale back will be applied to the determined area to limit the total area paid to 1,000 hectares. This may mean that applicants to this scheme receive less than £330 per hectare.  
3. Follow DAERA on Twitter and Facebook.
4. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk
5. 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.

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