Coveney welcomes record uptake by farmers availing of online facility

MINISTER for Agriculture Simon Coveney has welcomed the fact that a record number of farmers had availed of iNet, his department’s online application facility, to lodge their 2011 Single Payment Scheme applications.

The 54,000 forms lodged online represent an increase of 25% over 2010 and an increase of over 600% since iNet was introduced in 2007, when just 7,500 applications were lodged online.

“I am delighted to see the figures for 2011 iNet” the minister said, “and am very encouraged by the continued increase in its usage, year on year. All concerned, farmers, their agents and my department, continue to gain from the benefits that the system offers and I would again strongly urge anyone who hasn’t yet decided to use the system to at least consider doing so in the future.”

The minister also reminded farmers that, while the closing date for applications has now passed, any applications lodged in the 25-day period after the closing date, that is, up to and including June 10, will be accepted, but must be subject to the regulatory, cumulative, penalties, of 1% per working day that they are late.

It is also possible to lodge amendment forms under the 2011 scheme up to and including May 31, 2011, without penalty.

“However, under EU rules, we are obliged to apply a penalty, at a rate of 1% per working day, where amendment forms are received after May 31,” the minister explained. “The final date for receipt of late amendments is June 10, after which they can not be accepted. Anyone who finds that they need to submit an amendment form should obviously do so immediately and, in any event, by June 10 at the latest, in order to avoid suffering any undue penalties.”