Farmers reminded of scheme deadline
In order to allow farmers maximum opportunity to lodge applications before the deadline, she has decided that certain offices will have extended opening hours over the coming two weekends.
The offices in Portlaoise, from where the new scheme is being administered, are to remain open to the public on, May 7, May 8 and on May 14 from 9.15am to 5.30pm.
Local county offices are to remain open to the public on May 7, May 8 and on May 14 from 9.15am to 5.30pm.
The Portlaoise office will also remain open on May 16 from 9.15am to 12.00 midnight. Ms Coughlan said she had taken this decision to extend the opening hours of the SPS unit in Portlaoise and the local county offices to facilitate farmers submitting their applications.
Urging farmers to lodge applications before the May 16 closing date, she said failure to do so will result in the loss forever of entitlements.
She said the May 16 closing date is laid down in an EU Council Regulation, which governs the introduction of the new scheme and must, therefore, be respected.
Farmers have an opportunity to lodge applications after May 16, up to and including June 10, 2005.
But they should be aware that applications lodged in this period (May 17 to June 10) will be subject to a cumulative late penalty of 4% per working day, as laid down in the governing regulation.
IFA president John Dillon said farmers should ensure that they make a single farm payment application by the May 16 deadline.
