Farmers urged to contact advisers to complete single payment form

Farmers are being encouraged to contact their Teagasc adviser immediately if they need assistance to complete their single farm payment application form.

The deadline for all single payment scheme forms to be submitted to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is May 15.

Head of Teagasc advisory service Dermot McCarthy said applications involving leased land are taking longer to complete as these farmers face greater change under the new CAP rules.

He said: “Anyone with leased land should make an appointment straight away. Previous clients that had retired from farming and had leased out their land and/or entitlements, are coming back to Teagasc for advice. These are being handled where staff resources allow.”

Consultations between farmers and Teagasc advisers are generally taking longer this year as there are more questions on the incoming changes to farmers’ SPS entitlements.