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.

The new June 15 deadline also applies to area-based rural development payments made under CAP Pillar Two — such as Ireland’s new GLAS agri-environmental scheme.

“It goes without saying that member states who would decide to postpone the final date for submission of aid application should ensure that their administration and control system allow safeguarding sound financial management,” said EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan.

The deadline extension was welcomed by EU umbrella farmers’ group Copa-Cogeca, which noted that many farmers were unable to comply in time, because rules still needed to be clarified, especially for “greening”.