DARD is encouraging farmers to complete and return their 2014 Single Application forms on-line, citing the many benefits that can be accrued by those producers taking this approach.
“The on-line option has been available since the beginning of this month,” confirmed Pauline Rooney, who heads up the Department’s Area Based Schemes Development Unit.
“And to date 275 farmers have made use of this facility, either directly or working through agents.
“We have never opened the Single Application scheme as early as this before. It is encouraging to get such a significant level of interest on-line. And, obviously, we want to build on this for the future.”
Pauline went on to confirm that this week has seen the posting out of the ‘Single Application’ forms and information packs to every registered farmer in Northern Ireland.
“This information will be arriving with producers over the coming days, if it hasn’t done so already. The closing date for the scheme remains May 15th.”
The DARD representative then confirmed that, last year, 75% of the completed Single Applications arrived in the fortnight running up to the closing date.
“This reflects the fact that farmers left it quite late before opening up their application packs,” she stressed.
“It is in every producer’s interest to open up their packs as soon as they arrive. But I cannot stress strongly enough the benefits of completing the forms online.
“Using the internet is a very straightforward way of filling in Single Application forms. This year, quite a high proportion of the forms are pre populated. There is also an accompanying prompt mechanism, which flags up any mistakes or errors farmers might make during the application process.
“Another benefit of applying on-line is the fact that farmers can view the latest satellite imagery of their farm maps, courtesy of the ‘E Maps’ facility.
“What’s more, this is an interactive facility, which allows farmers to report map changes, without having to call in with the staff at their nearest DARD Direct Office.”
Farmers and their agents wishing to complete Single Application forms on-line should visit the DARD website (www.dardni.gov.uk) and follow the links.
(Source – Farming Life – 31/03/2014)
DARD Single Application Information Booklets:
Guide to Land Eligibility for N. Ireland – Updated-2013 – DARD
Guide to the SFP 2014 in N. Ireland – DARD
SFP 2014 – Application Guidance Booklet – N. Ireland
SFP Application Guidance Leaflet 2014
Single Farm Payments Entitlements Booklet – March 2014 – N. Ireland