June 15 is new direct aid application deadline

Farmers will be given until June 15 to apply for this year’s CAP direct aid payment — an extension of one month from the usual date, to give them time to adapt to the Basic Payment Scheme which replaces the single farm payment.

The European Commission has confirmed the new deadline, which will also help member states to implement the reformed 2015-2020 direct payment system in time.

However, the one-month extension from the standard May 15 closing date only applies to 2015 claims.