Guidelines for the Completion of the 2015 Basic Payment/Greening application using either the online facility or paper application

Guidelines for the Completion of the 2015 Basic Payment/Greening application using either the online facility or paper application

CONTENTS Page No Section 1- Contact Numbers 3 Section 2 - Your BPS pack 4 Section 3 - Basic Payment Scheme/Greening Payment General 5 Section 4 - Completing the BPS application online 6 Section 5 - Completing the Greening Payment application online 8 Section 6 - Completing the Front Page of the BPS application form 13 Section 7 - Completing the Back Page of the BPS application form 16 Section 8 - Making Amendments to your 2015 BPS application form 27 Section 9 - New applicants 28 Section 10 - Checklist 2 P a g e

1. CONTACT NUMBERS THE DIRECT PAYMENTS UNIT of the DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND THE MARINE, OLD ABBEYLEIX ROAD, PORTLAOISE, CO. LAOIS will process all application forms received under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS). Any queries in relation to your application or a specific scheme/measure should be made to the appropriate telephone number below or alternatively to the Departments general number 057 8674400. Section Counties Telephone No/Email Address 2015 Cap Information Centre (Direct Payments) National Reserve/Young Farmers Scheme Transfer of Entitlement Allocation Right & Reference Value Private Contract Clause Applications All Counties 0761 064438 All Counties 0761 064 446 All Counties 0761 064430 All Counties 0761 064430 Inheritance Enquiry Unit All Counties 0761 064428 Basic Payment (1) Basic Payment (2) Basic Payment (3) Carlow, Clare, Cork, Dublin, Mayo, Offaly, Tipperary Donegal, Kerry, Kildare, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Roscommon, Waterford, Wexford Cavan, Galway, Kilkenny, Laois, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Sligo, Westmeath, Wicklow 0761 064425 0761 064420 0761 064421 Greening All Counties 0761 064441 Greening@agriculture.gov.ie Commonages All Counties 0761 064448 Commonages@agriculture.gov.ie Queries regarding online Registration/Greening Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme All counties 0761 064424 agfood@agriculture.gov.ie All Counties 0761 064426 Agriculture Appeals Office 0761 064418 3 P a g e

2. YOUR BPS PACK Your 2015 BPS pack contains the following: (i) A Cover letter relating to the application process and maps. (ii) Your pre-printed 2015 EU Basic Payment Scheme (BPS)/Greening Payment and other Direct Payment Schemes application form.* (iii) Guidelines for the completion of the application form. (iv) Terms and Conditions for the 2015 EU Basic Payment Scheme (BPS)/Greening Payment and other 2015 Area Based Schemes. (v) A set of maps showing land parcels claimed in 2014. (vi) An Information leaflet from the Health and Safety Authority relating to Farm Safety. (vii) An Information leaflet on Pesticide User Registration. (viii) A pre-addressed envelope. * From 2015 it will be mandatory for certain categories of farmers to submit their 2015 BPS/Greening Application online. These farmers have already received correspondence from the Department under separate cover. If you fall into one of these categories you will not have received a paper application form in your pack. Instead you have been provided with a statement of land based on your 2014 land parcel details. 4 P a g e

3. THE 2015 BASIC PAYMENT SCHEME (BPS)/GREENING PAYMENT - GENERAL The Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) is being introduced in 2015 as part of the new measures agreed in the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. The BPS has replaced the Single Payment Scheme (SPS). As direct payments from 2015 may take the form of four distinct schemes, the payment that a farmer receives under the new Direct Payments system is no longer a single payment but may be a combination of payment under four separate schemes. Basic Payment Scheme Payment for Agricultural Practices beneficial for the Climate and the Environment- Greening Payment Young Farmers Scheme Aid for Protein Crops All eligible farmers will receive a payment under the BPS and a Greening Payment while some farmers may also qualify for a further payment under the Young Farmers Scheme or under the Aid for Protein Crop Scheme. 3.1 Deadline for receipt of application forms The deadline for the receipt of 2015 Basic Payment Scheme application forms is 15 th May 2015. Application forms may be submitted online, by post or by hand to the Department s Office at Old Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois. Under EU Regulations, there is a 25-calendar day period after the 15 May closing date for the acceptance of late applications and any necessary supporting documentation. However, deductions to payments will apply to the applications which are received during this period. Except in cases of force majeure, applications will not be accepted without penalty after this 25- calendar day period has ended. As farmers are applying for new payment entitlements under the BPS in 2015, they cannot be allocated these entitlements if their BPS application is received after Tuesday 9 th June 2015. In other words, they will not be entitled to receive payment under the Basic Payment Scheme/Greening Payment for the duration of the new Regime. The rate of deduction is 1% per working day in respect of payments under both the BPS and Greening Payment, Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme (ANC)(formerly Disadvantaged Areas Scheme), as outlined in Annex 1 of the Terms and Conditions. The same rate of deductions will apply to the Protein Aid Scheme, REPS, AEOS, Green Low Carbon Agri Environment Schemes (GLAS), the Natura 2000 Scheme and the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS). Payment under any of these Schemes cannot be made in 2015 unless a valid 2015 BPS application form is submitted. As already stated, the application under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme is also an application for the allocation of new entitlements under that Scheme. The EU Regulations provide that an additional 3% deduction per working day applies to payments under the BPS Scheme in 2015 for late applications for entitlements received during the 25-calendar day period. For example, if a BPS application was received on Friday 29 th May 2015, the deduction in respect of the BPS payment in 2015 would be 40%, taking into account the 3% and 1% late application deduction referred to in this section as well as a deduction of 10% from the Greening element. 5 P a g e

4. COMPLETING THE BPS APPLICATION ON-LINE You may submit your BPS application online, but you need to register first at www.agfood.ie or you can contact Agfood Online Services Helpdesk in the Department's Portlaoise Office, Lo call 0761 064424 or email agfood@agriculture.ie. The on-line facility is designed to help minimise the errors that can be made, thereby eliminating processing delays due to incomplete details. It also has a warning system that alerts the applicant to a possible area over-claim on a parcel which will help to avoid a possible penalty. Mandatory Categories While the Departments online facility is available to all 2015 BPS applicants there are certain categories of farmers who are obliged to submit their 2015 BPS/Greening Payment application online. The categories involved are as follows; (i) Arable farmers, who had 10 hectares or more of arable land under the 2014 SPS Scheme; (ii) Organic farmers, who participate in the Organic Farming Scheme; (iii) Farm Partnerships, who are registered in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine s Register of Farm Partnerships; (iv) Recognised Share farming arrangements who want to apply under the share-farming arrangement. The Department has informed the first two categories of farmers in writing of the requirement to use the online facility to submit their applications in 2015. The third and fourth categories will be informed when the partnerships or share farming arrangements are registered or recognised by the Department. BPS inet online applications An enhanced online service (BPS inet) is available in 2015 to all BPS applicants. A 2015 BPS application that is completed and submitted online to the Department by a farmer or his/her authorised Agent will be accepted as a valid application, provided that all other conditions of the BPS are met. The submission of a paper application is not necessary in these circumstances. The closing date of 15 May 2015 also applies to online applications (which can be submitted up to midnight). Completing an online BPS application The further development of the online application system for 2015 took into account the feedback from farmers and agents who applied online in previous years. It mirrors the printed application form insofar as possible. A HELP feature is also available as an explanatory aid for the correct completion of significant details such as Claimed Area, Parcel Use etc. The online application is designed with a view to preventing the typical errors that recur on the paper applications each year. Typical errors include missing land parcel details and over-declaration of area claimed. To this end, there are certain mandatory fields that the online applicant must complete thereby eliminating processing delays due to incomplete details. The online application also has a warning system that alerts the applicant to a possible area over-claim on a parcel, which will help to avoid a possible penalty. Records clearly show that the level of errors in online applications is negligible compared to paper applications, primarily due to the built-in system prompts, which guide the applicant in the completion of the form. 6 P a g e

A facility is available to allow the online editing and submission of maps. Farmers and/or their agents who are registered for the BPS online facility can access their maps from the Land Details page and mark out ineligible areas on their maps, amend borders etc. and submit these to the department through the online application. The land details presented online and pre-printed on the paper applications reflect the applicant s position following the processing of their 2014 SPS application and the outcome of any review undertaken by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Land parcels that come into the applicant s possession in 2015 can of course be added, as can details of any new plots. Where a new plot is added, a map outlining the boundaries of that plot must be submitted to the Department under separate cover either by post or through the online map editing system. This also applies where any other supporting documentation, for example, evidence of Commonage rights, is required. For convenience, a printable covering letter for the submission of documents is available online. Parcel details can be retrieved online by using the parcel search facility. The online application can be completed in stages. Partially completed online applications can be saved at any stage and returned to later at the applicant s convenience. The details already entered can be reviewed at any stage before the application is submitted. A partially completed application cannot however, be accepted as a submitted application. Please ensure you have submitted an application on or before the deadline of May 15 th. Expired Herd Number Where an applicant s Herd Number has expired at the date of application, it will not be possible to apply online. The applicant will be given a message to this effect on the BPS Home Page. In these circumstances, a paper 2015 BPS application should be submitted, and arrangements made with the Department s local District Veterinary Office to have the herd number reactivated. Where an applicant is changing the registration details of the herdnumber the application should be made to the Department s local District Veterinary Office on or before 15 May, 2015. Where the herdowner is deceased, contact should be made with the Department s Inheritance Enquiry Unit, Eircom Building, Knockmay Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois, 0761 064428 or inheritance@agriculture.gov.ie Documentation available online Access to comprehensive documentation is available online. This includes a summary screen of the applicant s current entitlements position; details of land parcels declared on previous applications and copies of certain correspondence between the applicant and the Department in the previous scheme year. Online amendment to a 2015 BPS application It will be possible to submit an amendment form online until the 31 May 2015 deadline for amendments, and afterwards a late application with penalty up to 9th June 2015. An online Amendment form may only be submitted where an online 2015 BPS application has already been submitted. Certain amendments can be made after the 9th June 2015 closing date for late Amendments. Parcels/plots cannot be added or claimed areas increased after 9th June 2015. You may, however, withdraw land or reduce the claimed area of a land parcel from your application at any time after 9th June 2015 provided the Department has not notified you about any irregularities concerning your Basic Payment Scheme application, or provided you have not been notified of an on-the-spot inspection. If you have been notified of an onthe-spot inspection or an inspection reveals an irregularity, an amendment cannot be accepted to that part of your application that is affected by the irregularity found. 7 P a g e

Using an agent to complete online applications Herd owners can use an authorised agent e.g. Teagasc Advisor/Agricultural Consultant to submit an online application on their behalf. To do so, you must first sign the appropriate form authorising the agent or respond to the text message generated by the Department s online agent authorisation system. A list of approved agents is available on the Department s website at www.agriculture.gov.ie. Helpline The agfood.ie Helpdesk is available to deal with queries relating to online registration 0761 064424 or agfood@agriculture.gov.ie The application must be fully completed and submitted online by the closing date of 15th May 2015. 5. COMPLETING THE GREENING PAYMENT APPLICATION ONLINE Overview Mandatory online application If you are an applicant, who declared 10 hectares or more of arable land in 2014 or will do so in 2015 you will have to use the online facility to submit your 2015 Basic Payment Scheme/Greening Payment application. A paper application will not be acceptable in 2015. Therefore, if you have not already registered as on online user you should do so immediately by logging on to www.agfood.ie. The use of the online facility means that it is possible for farmers to use the assistance and aids inbuilt in the system. The use of that facility should make it easier for applicants to comply with the greening requirements provided that the declarations made in respect of the different crops and EFA areas are accurate. A Guide to Greening 2015 is available on the Department s website www.agriculture.gov.ie. When you have completed the submission of your land details in the appropriate section of the online facility you can then proceed to the Greening screens by clicking on the Greening tab or the NEXT button. You have now navigated to the Crop Diversification page and in that page you will see the Overview table, which looks as follows; 8 P a g e

Overview Table; A breakdown of the total land details is provided in this section enabling you to initially establish if your holding is subject to the greening requirements, this table first identifies your total agricultural area. This calculation includes all your eligible land; it then calculates your grassland (permanent and temporary) as a percentage of your total agricultural area. If this percentage is 75% or greater and you have less than 30 hectares of tillage you are Green by Definition, you will be exempt from the greening obligations. If this figure is less than 75% and/or your tillage land is greater than 30 hectares your temporary grass is then classed as arable and you are subject to the requirements under both the Crop Diversification and Ecological Focus Areas measures. The remainder of this page deals with your obligations under Crop Diversification, the next table to the right of the Overview Table is the Provisional Status Table. Provisional Status Table; This area informs you if you are meeting your greening requirements subject to verification. Bear in mind that this determination is provisional and is based on the information you have input on the land details table. This is, particularly, the case where you have inserted a plot in the land details. For the purposes of this determination, the claimed area rather than the reference area is used in the calculation. The Status table will indicate one of the following outcomes. Greening by definition No Obligation (under 10 arable hectares) 9 P a g e

3 Crop (you will be notified if you meet the requirements where you have more than 30 arable hectares). 2 Crop (you will be notified if you meet the requirements where you have between 10 and 30 arable hectares.) If the Table is indicating that you require three arable crops this is the requirement you have to meet under Crop Diversification. Cropping Requirements Table; This table outlines your requirements based on your crop diversification status. The table above is for a farmer with a requirement for three arable crops. It will differ for farmers with a twocrop requirement. Changes needed to meet the requirements; This table details the number of different crops claimed and outlines, based on your land declarations, the maximum area for your main crop and main two crops in order to meet the Crop Diversification requirements. In this page, there are also tables illustrating (i) breakdown of arable crops declared, (ii) details of permanent grassland and (iii) breakdown of all other areas declared in hectares. At the bottom of this page you have an option to apply for an exemption from Crop Diversification by ticking either the GLAS Equivalence or the "50% exemption" box. If you wish to avail of the GLAS exemption you will be required to sow catch crops on all your arable land with the exception of your temporary grassland. On ticking the box a list of all the parcels to be sown will be displayed. 10 P a g e

There is also a provision to apply for an exemption from Crop Diversification on the following grounds; a) At least 50% of the arable land declared by you was not declared by you is under the 2014 Single Payment Scheme, and b) All of the arable land declared by you in 2015 is sown with a different crop form 2014. Farmers should be cautious about using this exemption. In particular, ensure that all of the arable land that you declare is sown with a different crop in 2015. The Department will not be in a position to verify the validity of the exemption application until your application is fully processed. You can navigate to the next page by clicking on the EFA tab or Next. This page refers to Ecological Focus Areas (EFAs) and, will again be based on your area declarations. If the arable land you declare is 15 hectares or greater you are obliged to have at least 5% of this land in EFAs unless you benefit from an exemption. Overview table; This table gives a breakdown of your current EFAs, your total arable area and your percentage EFA. The Overview table will be set at zero pending the declaration of EFA areas either areabased or landscape features in respect of each parcel. In order to meet the EFA requirements, you must declare them for each eligible parcel. The land parcels details shown in this screen are all parcels potentially eligible for EFA. There are four options available to you as follows; 11 P a g e

Not Claimed; this is if you do not wish to declare any EFA on this parcel Landscape Features; this is if you wish to declare your hedges, drains and buffer strips Area-based Main Crop; this is if you wish to declare a crop as your EFA (Nitrogen Fixing Crop, Eligible Forestry Etc.) Area-based Second Crop; this is if you wish to declare a second crop for EFA purposes, you again have two options under the usage box; Catch Crops; if you wish to apply for EFAs under this measure you should select the catch crop option and declare the area you will sow as a catch crop, this must be an approved mix and be in the ground by 15 September until 1 December. Undersown ; if you wish to apply for EFAs under this measure you should select the Undersown option and declare the area you will undersow with grass, this should be done at the crop sowing stage. The following table will display your provisional status under the EFA requirements based on the declarations you have made. Provisional Status; Please note that if you have declared any new land in 2015 the reference areas for these parcels are subject to verification, in such cases your greening status is provisional and based on your declared area for these plots. When these plots are digitised the reference areas may be different and may change the category you are subject to. Once you have completed your EFA details your final step is to navigate to the Greening Summary Screen. This screen gives a provisional status of both elements of greening and a breakdown under each. Important Note The onus is on applicants to ensure that that they have complied with all aspects of Greening. 12 P a g e

6. COMPLETING THE FRONT PAGE OF THE BPS APPLICATION FORM Please note that details are pre-printed as a service to applicants. The onus rests with the applicant to examine the pre-printed details carefully and to ensure that they are correct. If the details are incorrect or incomplete, please make the appropriate amendments/additions before submission. Name/address/herd-number The details held by the Department at the date of printing are pre-printed. If any amendment is necessary, perhaps to name/address, strike through and cross out the printed detail and write in the correct details. If, for example, your Herd Number has changed, cross out the pre-printed Herd Number and write in your new Herd Number. Should your Herd Number change after the submission of the 2015 BPS application, you should immediately write to the Basic Payment Unit with details of your new Herd Number. Where the Herd Number held by the applicant in 2014 has since expired, no Herd Number is pre-printed. If a new Herd Number, or a transfer of the Herd Number is now required, submit your application form in any event and follow up your situation with your local District Veterinary Office as a matter of urgency. Applications for a change of herd number should be made to your local District Veterinary Office on or before 15 May, 2015. Where an applicant has more than one Herd Number (for example he/she may also have a dealer Herd Number or a second Herd Number relating to lands in a different county), the application should be submitted under the corresponding Herd Number that applies to the applicant s main holding. Regardless of having more than one Herd Number, an applicant may submit one application only under his/her corresponding Herd Number. Note: Basic Payment Entitlements do not transfer with the herd number and an application should be made to the Transfer of Entitlements Section, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Eircom Buildings, Knockmay Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois. Contact details: In the event of a follow-up query from the Department, it is very useful to have the applicant s telephone details. Please ensure these are up to date. Areas Eligible for Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme (formerly Disadvantaged Areas Scheme) For the purpose of calculating eligibility under the 2015 Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme, the forage area of your holding is each hectare of land or part thereof situated in an Area of Natural Constraint designated as Less Severely Handicapped Lowland or as a Coastal Area with Specific Handicaps or as More Severely Handicapped Lowland or as Mountain Type Grazings within the State. Forage Area and areas that are used as forage must be available to the applicant for the entire calendar year. 11-month conacre agreements are also eligible. Where an area is not available for the full calendar year, the onus lies with the applicant to notify the Department in writing immediately this area becomes unavailable. Amendments to an application are subject to the procedures outlined for amendment forms. Note: If it is known to you that any of the forage area situated in an Area of Natural Constraint will not be available to you for the full calendar year please complete the table on the reverse of the cover letter listing each of the parcel numbers concerned and return with your application form by post or online as appropriate. 13 P a g e

Other Schemes Included: Application for the Greening Scheme: The Terms and Conditions applicable to this payment are set down in the Basic Payment Scheme Helpsheet/Terms &Conditions Document enclosed in the application pack. Application for the Protein Aid Scheme: The Terms and Conditions applicable to this payment are set down in Helpsheet/Terms &Conditions Document enclosed in the application pack. Application for the Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme: A valid 2015 BPS application is required in order to facilitate payment to applicants under Areas of Natural Constraint 2015. The Terms and Conditions to the scheme will issue separately. Application for payment under the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS), Agri- Environment Options Scheme, Natura 2000 scheme and/or the Organic Farming Scheme: A valid 2015 BPS application is required for payment under the REPS, AEOS, Natura 2000 and/or the Organic Farming Scheme. Relevant Terms and Conditions are available on the Department s website at www.agriculture.gov.ie Application for the Beef Data Genomics Scheme: The Terms and Conditions applicable to this measure will shortly be published by the Department and can be accessed on the Department s website at www.agriculture.gov.ie. Application for the Green Low Carbon Agri Environment Scheme (GLAS): The Terms and Conditions applicable to this measure will shortly be published by the Department and can be accessed on the Department s website at www.agriculture.gov.ie. Application for the Sheep Technology Adoption Programme: The Terms and Conditions applicable to this payment have been published by the Department and can be accessed on the department s website at www.agriculture.gov.ie Knowledge Transfer Programme: The Terms and Conditions applicable to this measure will shortly be published by the Department and can be accessed on the Department s website at www.agriculture.gov.ie. Declaration: In this section of the front page you are making your application for payment in the first instance in respect of your entitlements under the Basic Payment Scheme/Greening Payment, ANC, the 2015 Beef Data Genomics Scheme, GLAS, the Protein Aid Scheme and the Burren Farming for Conservation Programme. A valid completed BPS application form will also be taken as an application for the Sheep Technology Adoption Programme, Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS), Agri- Environment Options Scheme (AEOS), Natura 2000 Scheme, the Organic Farming Scheme and the Knowledge Transfer Programme as appropriate. Separate application forms may be required in respect of some/all of these individual schemes. You are also formally declaring that the information contained in your form is true and accurate for the purposes of the Schemes covered by your application. Furthermore, you are confirming that you have read the Helpsheet/Terms and Conditions for the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme and that you are familiar with the Scheme requirements therein and you agree to comply fully with 14 P a g e

those requirements. You are also confirming that all the eligible land declared on your 2015 application will be at your disposal for a period including 31 May 2015 and you are accepting that you will be responsible for any breach in Cross Compliance with regard to this land in the 2015 calendar year. You are also confirming that the lands declared as being available for a period including 31 May 2015 will be maintained as agricultural land, or land newly afforested in 2015, until 31 December 2015 and that you will inform the Department of any change in the status of that land. De Minimis (check amount PLUS REG) EU State Aid rules (de minimis) are governed by EU Regulation 1408/2013 under which payments under a number of Schemes, including STAP and BTAP restricted to a maximum of 15,000 per claimant over a three year period. By signing the declaration on the 2015 BPS and other Area Based Schemes application form, I confirm that I am accepting the conditions above relating to the de mimimis threshold. Statutory Instrument The Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine has implemented Regulations, which will make it an offence for an applicant to knowingly make a false declaration. It is also an offence for a person to assist an applicant to commit an offence under the Regulations. Applicants should familiarise themselves with the European Communities (Direct Support Schemes) Offences and Control Regulations S.I. No 115 of 2012 Use of information supplied In submitting the application form, you also accept that all the information supplied on your application form and in any supporting documentation may be made available to any other Department or Agency or Local Authority for the purpose of Audits, Cross Compliance controls, controls relating to the legislation underpinning Cross Compliance and all Rural Development measures, and, as appropriate, in accordance with the requirements under the Freedom of Information Act. You are also notified that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is required, in accordance with EU law, to publish on a website, details of the names, addresses and amounts received by legal persons (not a natural person but, for example, a company), who are beneficiaries of funds deriving from the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). The rights of data subjects and how they may be exercised in this respect are laid down in the Data Protection Acts, 1988 and 2003. The data therein may be processed by auditing and investigating bodies of the Communities and the Member States for the purposes of safeguarding the Communities' financial interests. The data therein cannot be used for direct marketing or other purposes and this is made clear on the website. Signature(s) Your Basic Payment Scheme application cannot be accepted if you do not sign it. Where the application is made on behalf of more than one person, for example John and Mary Murphy, both parties must sign the form. Where all the parties to whom the application refers do not sign the form, the application will be regarded as incomplete thereby resulting in a processing delay. Where the application is made on behalf of a company or other legal entity, the signatory must be an authorised officer of that company or legal entity and must state his/her official status, for example Company Director, Company Secretary, etc. Where signed by a Director and multiple Directors exist, all Directors must sign. Where the application is made on behalf of the estate of a deceased farmer, the legal personal representative is the signatory and must state his/her status, for example, Executor or Administrator. 15 P a g e

7. COMPLETING THE BACK PAGE OF THE BPS APPLICATION FORM 7.1. Important points to read before completing the back of the form Please read the following information carefully before completing the back of the form. Ready reckoner for conversion of area The area of all parcels/plots must be given in HECTARES and to two decimal places. Use the following table as a reference for converting from acres to hectares. Acres Hectares Acres Hectares Acres Hectares Acres Hectares Acres Hectares 1 0.4047 7 2.8329 40 16.188 100 40.47 700 283.29 2 0.8094 8 3.2376 50 20.235 200 80.94 800 323.76 3 1.2141 9 3.6423 60 24.282 300 121.41 900 364.23 4 1.6188 10 4.047 70 28.329 400 161.88 1,000 404.70 5 2.0235 20 8.094 80 32.376 500 202.35 6 2.4282 30 12.141 90 36.423 600 242.82 Declare all your land You are legally required to declare ALL of the land that will form part of your holding for a period including 31 May 2015, excluding any land that you have leased OUT or rented OUT for any period that includes 31 May 2015. The person declaring the land on the Basic Payment Scheme application form will be held responsible for any non-compliance with the Statutory Management Requirements under Cross Compliance or any failure to maintain the lands declared in Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition for the period 1 January to 31 December 2015. Lands declared as agricultural land must be maintained as such until 31 December 2015, unless afforested under the Afforestation Aid Scheme. Any change in the status of declared agricultural land must be notified in writing to the Basic Payment Unit of the Department. You should note, however, that if an area being declared is ineligible e.g. other and bog, the claimed area should be shown as 0.00. Agricultural Activity In order to be eligible for payment each land parcel must have an agricultural activity carried out on it. In the case of owned, leased or rented in land, this activity must be carried out by the applicant. In the case of commonage, the activity must be carried out by at least one of the applicants. If there is no activity on a parcel, it is ineligible for payment and subject to the same deductions and exclusions that applies to all over-declarations of ineligible land. If applicants intend to declare any land parcel where there is no farming activity undertaken they should reduce the claimed area to zero and insert a use of no farming activity in column 9 on the back of the application form. The farming activity should be such that it maintains the land in a state eligible for payment. 16 P a g e

Dual Claims A large number of dual claim cases arise each year where more than one applicant claims the same parcel(s) of land. In such cases both applicants run the risk of a delay in payment as the Department has to determine who is entitled to claim the land parcel concerned. The applicant who is determined not to have had the right to claim the land parcel will not be paid on that parcel and may be subject to an over-claim penalty. Many dual claims are avoidable if applicants double check the pre-printed details on the back of the application form to ensure that each land parcel listed for 2014 will in fact be rented, leased or owned by them for a period including 31 st May 2015. Where the same land parcel is claimed by more than one applicant, on the basis that the land parcel is being leased/rented or a similar type transaction, the landowner will be required to make a formal declaration in a format to be determined by the Minister, as to the usage of the land in question. You are again reminded to declare all land that is available to you for the period specified in the paragraph above and to ensure that a line is drawn through each parcel no longer available to you. Maps The Department has supplied maps of land parcels declared on the 2014 application form to all applicants. It is vital that each applicant review these maps or instructs and ensures that his or her agent does so. Following the review of the parcels, applicants are required to submit a map for any parcel that has an ineligible area to be deducted, or where you apply for an increase in the eligible area of any parcel. As informed in previous years, where there is an ineligible area within a parcel and the Reference Area has not been adjusted to take account of it, for example a building, the ineligible area must be outlined in red on a map. The map must be submitted for digitising along with your application. In addition it is necessary to reduce the claimed area if the remaining eligible area is less than the area claimed in 2014. Land without a parcel number If you wish to declare a land parcel that does not have an existing Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) number, or has not been claimed since the introduction of the Single Payment Scheme, i.e. 1 January 2005, you should submit a map of this parcel, you may also be required in due course to submit evidence (Land Registry Folio, and/or lease/rental agreement) which confirms you are entitled to use the parcel in question. In cases where the application is being filed online through the Agfood.ie application, the relevant Land Registry Folio, lease or rental agreement can be uploaded online at the time of submitting the application by the applicant or his or her Agent. A facility is available to allow the online submission of documents. Farmers and/or their agents who are registered for the BPS online facility can upload an electronic version of documents such as Lease/Rental agreement, Commonage Evidence, Land Registry Folios etc. Reference area changes It was necessary to make some minor changes to lands parcels where the reference area was slightly in excess of the Land Parcel Identification System s digitised area. The reference area and the pre-printed claimed area in respect of these parcels is reduced to the digitised area. Any applicant, who wishes to declare an eligible area greater than the digitised area should submit a map of the land parcel to justify the area declared. Review of digitised land parcels The Department has continued its work in reviewing digitised parcels with a view to the exclusion of areas that are ineligible to draw down payment. This arose because a number of SPS applicants have in the past claimed a reduced area for a parcel in order to allow for an 17 P a g e

ineligible area, while others did not make the necessary deductions for ineligible areas. You should review your maps carefully to ensure that all the ineligible features have been excluded. Where re-digitising was required, applicants will find that maps contain either new parcel numbers or red-lined exclusions within a parcel, or both, giving rise to the following: a. New Parcel Numbers: A land parcel may have been previously digitised without excluding an area that is not eligible for drawing down payment under the previous Single Payment Scheme. Where a parcel contained a farm building or farmyard, for example, the Department has re-digitised that parcel and taken out the ineligible area. The agricultural area of the parcel (eligible area) has been given a new LPIS number. The farm building, farmyard etc has also been digitised separately and has been given its own LPIS number. b. Red-lined exclusions within parcels: In the case of a number of parcels reviewed by the Department, it was necessary to exclude ineligible areas from within some parcels, for example scrub, buildings, roadways, lakes etc. In these cases the parcel was not redigitised but the ineligible areas were excluded from the parcel by drawing a red line around them. The parcel area was recalculated to take account of any such red-lined exclusion and a new parcel reference area was allocated to the parcel. The revised Reference Area now reflects the deduction of the ineligible area. In this context, therefore, applicants are advised to cease the practice of claiming a reduced area on a parcel to take account of ineligible area within that parcel where adequate deductions have already been made. However, if further deductions are required for other features not covered by the Red-Lined exclusions, or the Department-applied deductions are incorrect, then corrections should be made and the Department notified accordingly. 7.2 COMPLETING THE BACK PAGE OF THE BPS APPLICATION FORM Please note that details are pre-printed as a service to applicants. It is essential that the applicant thoroughly examines the pre-printed details carefully, to ensure their accuracy, as the onus rests solely with the applicant. Column 1: Townland The townland name is pre-printed in this column for the parcels you declared in 2014. If you are declaring any new parcels in 2015 write the official townland name as shown on an Ordnance Survey or LPIS map, on a new line. A map must be submitted for any new plot of land. Column 2: Land Parcel Number: The land parcel number (LPIS No.) is pre-printed in this column for the parcels you declared in 2014. If you are adding a new parcel, you should obtain the unique land parcel number (LPIS No.) from the previous occupier and enter that number in this column. Every effort should be made to get the LPIS number as parcel details, for example Digitised area, Reference area, etc. can then be requested by telephoning the Lo-call number relevant to your county. Where the LPIS No. is not available, identify the new plot/s in this column by calling them Plot 1, Plot 2 etc. In this instance you must also identify these new plots by outlining them carefully on either an Ordnance Survey map or a Land Registry map or a LPIS (Department) map, also numbering them Plot 1, Plot 2, etc on the map. Enter the same plot name in this Column as you have it written on the map - Plot 1, Plot 2 etc. The map(s) of any new plot(s) must be submitted with your application. Please ensure that any map submitted by you is marked with your name, address and herd number. If the map is part of a Land Registry or Ordnance Survey map, it must also be marked with the Ordnance Survey sheet number and the Townland in which the parcel is located. If you are making your application online you can digitise your map electronically 18 P a g e

online or upload an electronic version of your maps through our online application system. Alternatively forward the map along with a copy of the specific covering letter that is available online. Temporary subdivisions: If you are temporarily dividing a land parcel in 2015 into two or more divisions in order to declare those divisions for different uses, delete all of that parcel s pre-printed details. Enter the details of each subdivision of that parcel on a new line using the original 9 digit LPIS parcel number along with a specific identifier ( A, B, C etc.) after the LPIS No. for each subdivision. You must also outline these temporary boundaries on a map marking each division A, B, C and so on. Enclose the map, marked with your name, address and herd number, with your application. If you are making your application online, forward the map along with a copy of the specific covering letter that is available online or by uploading an electronic version of your maps through our online application system. Column 3: Commonage/Grazing Right Fraction: The legal right to claim on commonage which is held as a grazing right, as distinct to those commonages registered in undivided shares, is restrictive. To claim grazing rights on a commonage, applicants must be also claiming the owned (green land) to which the grazing right is appurtenant. It would normally be the case that the area (share) of the commonage to be claimed, would be proportionate to the amount of green land to which such right is appurtenant, having taken account, of all other appurtenances relating to the said commonage. The fraction representing your share/grazing rights on Commonage is pre-printed in this column. Where any new land parcel on your holding in 2015 is Commonage/Grazing Rights, you must state the share/grazing rights that you are entitled to claim as a fraction of that Commonage. In all cases where commonage shares/grazing rights are declared for the purposes of drawing down payment, documentary evidence of your right to the shares/rights must be submitted you may already have done this. Generally the proof required is legal documentation. The onus is on you to ensure that the documentation submitted as evidence is adequate to support your declaration. The following documentation is acceptable to satisfy eligibility on title: Commonage shares - Copy Land Registry Folio showing commonage shares. Grazing rights - Copy Land Registry Folio showing Grazing Rights held; Land Commission Vesting Order; Certified copy of relevant estate papers from Land Commission records; Grant by the freehold legal owner; Grazing Trust Deed; Grant of Deed by the original estate landlord. In circumstances where no documentary evidence as listed above exists, the Department may accept such other documentary evidence, as it deems appropriate. Accordingly, a joint affidavit signed by all shareholders/grazing rights' holders would be considered. This should set out: The total number of commonage shares/grazing rights; Each shareholder's share entitlement in the commonage; Each grazing rights' holder's allocation of rights and the extent to which such rights may be exercised; An undertaking that if at any future date a person, other than the deponents or their successors, establishes a valid claim to a share / grazing rights in the commonage, such person would be accommodated by a proportionate reduction in the existing shares/grazing rights as set out in the affidavit; 19 P a g e

The affidavit shall include a recital stating that the affidavit will not be used for purposes other than those for which it was prepared; Any such affidavit shall be accompanied by: A map of the Commonage showing the total area with the external boundaries clearly marked in red, or, in the case of grazing rights the entire area over which rights are exercised; Documentation showing that the deponents have made every reasonable effort to establish a definitive list of shareholders/grazing rights holders relative to the entire area to which the affidavit refers. Column 4: Digitised Area: The digitised area of each land parcel is pre-printed in hectares in this column. The Digitised Area is the entire area of the parcel within the perimeter boundary measured on the Department s computerised system (LPIS) before the deduction of internal ineligible areas such as roadways, rivers, scrub etc. In the case of commonages/grazing rights, the digitised area is the area of the entire commonage/grazing right, not just the share claimed. Where you are declaring any new parcel in 2015, the digitised area and reference area may be available from the previous occupier. Where the digitised area is not available because the plot was not previously claimed, enter the gross area in hectares based on your Ordnance Survey or other map and submit the map. The minimum parcel size that can be declared is 0.01 Hectares. Column 5: Reference Area: A Reference Area is pre-printed in Column 5 for all parcels. The Reference Area is the area of the parcel that is eligible to claim payment and payment cannot be made on a greater area without the submission of a map or other evidence to verify a claim greater than the Reference Area. An applicant would not therefore be expected to claim an area that is greater than the Reference Area in Column 7 (see paragraph below). Column 6: Request to Change to Reference Area: If you do wish to amend the Reference area of a parcel you must place an X in this column against that parcel. As proof of the increase of the eligible area of the parcel, you must submit a map or other evidence to verify the claim. Column 7: Claimed area of each parcel in hectares: The claimed area is the area of the parcel being claimed for payment that is available and it is the area of the parcel that is used for agricultural activity in 2015. If there is no farming activity undertaken in a land parcel you should reduce the claimed area to zero and insert a use of no farming activity in Column 9 on the back of the application form. If you amend the pre-printed Claimed Area upwards so that it exceeds the Reference Area (Column 5), you must complete Column 6 and submit a map or other evidence to verify the new claim. Do not over-claim the eligible area of any parcel as penalties may apply for over-declaration of areas and could involve loss of all or part of your payment. IF THE CLAIMED AREA IS NOT ALREADY PRE-PRINTED IN RESPECT OF ANY OF THE PARCELS ON YOUR FORM, DO NOT LEAVE THIS COLUMN BLANK. ENTER THE AREA YOU WISH TO CLAIM FOR PAYMENT FOR EVERY PARCEL/PLOT. 20 P a g e

In the case of each parcel claimed, including claims on Commonage/Grazing Rights, the claimed area must exclude any areas under roads, paths, buildings, farmyards, woods, scrub, rivers, streams, ponds, lakes, sand, areas of bare rock, bogland unfit for grazing, sand/gravel pits, areas used for quarrying or areas not being actively farmed. It is not necessary to make deductions for headlands. In the case of fences, hedgerows or drains/ditches, deductions are not required. All forage areas must be defined by a permanent boundary except in the case of Commonage land or Grazing Rights. External forage boundaries must be stock proof and appropriate to the farming enterprise. Column 8: Owned, rented or leased: This column has been pre-printed insofar as possible. In the first instance check that this is correct and amend if necessary. It is possible that this information is no longer valid or is incorrect. For example, land parcels that were owned by the previous applicant are now leased to the previous applicant s son or daughter, who is the current applicant. If an amendment to the pre-printed data is necessary, put a line through the pre-printed data and enter the correct position. In this case an L should replace the O. In addition, where this column is blank in respect of any parcel, or if you are declaring a new parcel or plot, you must indicate whether you own it (O), whether you are renting it in for a period including 31 May 2015 (R) or whether you have the land for a period including 31 May 2015 on the basis of a formal land lease (L). To reduce the risk of dual claims please double check that each land parcel is owned, rented or leased by you for a period including 31 st May 2015. Column 9: Parcel Use: THE PARCEL USE MAY NOT BE PRE-PRINTED FOR ALL THE PARCELS ON YOUR FORM. DO NOT LEAVE THIS COLUMN BLANK. ENTER THE PARCEL USE FOR EVERY PARCEL/PLOT. Where an application is returned with blank boxes in this column, further correspondence will be necessitated, thereby causing a delay in the processing of your application. Land parcels for which aid is obtained under any of the Schemes for which a BPS application is required will be crosschecked against the land use declared in this column. It is vitally important therefore that this column is completed accurately in respect of every parcel /plot and that the land use entered by you reflects the actual use of that parcel/plot in 2015. Where parcel information is pre-printed please ensure that the pre-printed use is correct for 2015 and amend if necessary. In the context of the Nitrates Regulations, it is essential that all crop types be precisely identified. A crop use of Barley, Wheat, Oats, Oilseeds or Potatoes is no longer acceptable. You must specify whether the crop is Spring Barley or Winter Barley, Spring Wheat or Winter Wheat, Spring Oats or Winter Oats or Spring Oilseed rape or Winter Oilseed rape. The crop use Arable Silage should be used for arable crops that are used for fodder/silage. In relation to potatoes, you must specify whether they are Main crop potatoes, early potatoes or Seed potatoes. Where these distinctions are not declared, further correspondence will be necessitated, thereby causing a delay in the processing of your application. Crop List The following table has details of all crops and their eligibility for BPS and ANC. It also indicates how the crop is considered under the headings land, Tillage and Arable for Greening. The column Grouping Greening identifies crops that are grouped together for the purposes of Greening. For your information, the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is replaced by the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme in 2015. 21 P a g e

Eligible BPS: A 'Y' in this column indicates that the "crop" can be used to draw down payment under the BPS/Greening scheme in 2015. Eligible ANC: A 'Y' in this column indicates that the "crop" can be used to draw down payment under the ANC scheme in 2015. Eligible EFA Area: A 'Y' in this column indicates that the "crop" can contribute towards an applicant's obligations under Ecological Focus Areas. land: A 'Y' in this column indicates that the "crop" is considered part of a holding's grassland area. Tillage: A 'Y' in this column indicates that the "crop" is considered a tillage crop and can count towards an applicant's crops under Crop Diversification. It includes all Tillage crops that are commonly sown in Ireland. Arable: A 'Y' in this column indicates that the "crop" is considered an arable crop and can count towards an applicant's crops under Crop Diversification. It includes all Tillage crops that are commonly sown in Ireland plus grass based crops that count under Greening such as Fallow and Temporary land ( Year 1, 2...etc.) Crop Eligible BPS Eligible ANC Eligi ble EFA Area lan d Tillag e Arabl e Grouping Greening 100% Destocked Area Y Y Y Alfalfa Y Y Y Y Apples Y N Arable Habitat Y N Y Y Arable Silage Y Y Y Y Artichoke Y N Asparagus Y N Aubergines Y N Y Y Baby Leaf Spinach Y N Y Y Spinacia Barley - Spring Y N Y Y Barley - Winter Y N Y Y Basil Y N Y Y Beans Y N Y Y Y Beetroot Y N Y Y Beta Blackberries Y N Blackcurrants Y N Blueberries Y N Broccoli - Spring Y N Y Y Broccoli - Winter Y N Y Y Brassica oleracea Brassica oleracea 22 P a g e

Crop Eligible BPS Eligible ANC Eligi ble EFA Area lan d Tillag e Arabl e Brussel sprouts Y N Y Y Cabbage - Spring Y N Y Y Cabbage - Winter Y N Y Y Grouping Greening Brassica oleracea Brassica oleracea Brassica oleracea Brassica oleracea Calabrese Y N Y Y Camelina Y N Y Y Carrots - Spring Y N Y Y Carrots - Winter Y N Y Y Cauliflowers - Brassica Spring Y N Y Y oleracea Cauliflowers - Brassica Winter Y N Y Y oleracea Celeriac Y N Y Y Apium Celery - Spring Y N Y Y Apium Celery - Winter Y N Y Y Apium Cherries Y N Chives Y N Y Y Allium Clover Y Y Y Y Copse N N Y Coriander Y N Y Y Cucurbita pepo Courgettes Y N Y Y Cranberries Y N Cucumbers Y N Y Y Daffodils Y N Y Y Damsons Y N Designated Habitat Y N Dill Y N Y Y Early Potatoes Y N Y Y Solanum Endives Y N Y Y Fallow Y N Y Y Fallow Fallow - Greening Y N Y Y Y Fallow Fennel Y N Y Y Flax Y N Y Y Linum Fodder Beet Y Y Y Y Beta Foliage Y N Forage Rape Y Y Y Y Forestry Eligible Y N Y Forestry Setaside Y N Garlic Y N Y Y Allium Glasshouse Y N 23 P a g e

Crop Eligible BPS Eligible ANC Eligi ble EFA Area lan d Tillag e Arabl e Gooseberries Y N Seed Y N Y Y Silage Y Y Y Year 1 Y Y Y Y Year 2 Y Y Y Y Year 3 Y Y Y Y Year 4 Y Y Y Y Year 5 Y Y Y Y meal Y N Y Y Hemp Y N Y Y Hops Y N Horseradish Y N Y Y Grouping Greening Kale Y Y Y Y Brassica oleracea Kohl-rabi Y N Y Y Brassica oleracea Leeks - Spring Y N Y Y Allium Leeks - Winter Y N Y Y Allium Lettuce Y N Y Y Lilies Y N Y Y Linnet Habitat Y N Y Y Y Fallow Linseed Y N Y Y Linum Loganberries Y N Lucerne Y Y Y Y Lupins Y N Y Y Y Maincrop Potatoes Y N Y Y Solanum Maize Y Y Y Y Zea Mange Tout Peas Y N Y Y Pisum Mangolds Y Y Y Y Beta Marrows Y N Y Y Millet Y N Y Y Mint Y N Miscanthus Sinensis Y Y Mixed Cropping Y N Y Y Mixed Grazing Y Y Y Mushrooms Y N Y Y Mustard Y N Y Y Nursery Y N Oats - Oats Y N Y Y Oats - Winter Y N Y Y Oilseed Rape - Spring Y N Y Y Cucurbita pepo Brassica napus 24 P a g e

Crop Eligible BPS Eligible ANC Eligi ble EFA Area lan d Tillag e Arabl e Grouping Greening Oilseed Rape - Winter Y N Y Y Brassica napus Onions Y N Y Y Allium Orchard Y N Other cut flower / bulb crops Y N Y Y Brassica rapa Pak Choi Y N Y Y Parsley Y N Y Y Parsnips Y N Y Y Pears Y N Peas Y N Y Y Y Pisum Peppers Y N Y Y Permanent Pasture Y Y Y Perpetual Spinach Y N Y Y Spinacia Plums Y N Cucurbita pepo Pumpkins Y N Y Y Radish Y N Y Y Raspberries Y N Red Clover Y Y Y Y Redcurrants Y N Reed Canary Y Y REPS 4 New Habitat Y N REPS 4 New Woodland Y N REPS 4 Orchard Y N REPS 4 Planted Buffer Zone Y N Rhubarb Y N Riparian Zone Y N Rocket Y N Y Y Rosemary Y N Rough Grazing Y Y Y Rye Y N Y Y Sage Y N Y Y Salsify Y N Y Y Scallions Y N Y Y Allium Seed Potatoes Y N Y Y Solanum Shallot Y N Y Y Allium Short Rotation Y Coppice Y Y Species Rich Y Y Y 25 P a g e

Crop land Eligible BPS Eligible ANC Eligi ble EFA Area lan d Tillag e Arabl e Grouping Greening Squash Y N Y Y Cucurbita pepo Strawberries Y N Y Y Sugar Beet Y Y Y Y Beta Sunflower Y N Y Y Swede Y Y Y Y Brassica napus Sweetcorn Y N Y Y Zea Switchgrass Y N Thyme Y N Y Y Tomatoes Y N Y Y Trad. Sustainable Grazing Y Y Y Traditional Hay Meadow Y Y Y Triticale Y Y Y Y Tulips Y N Y Y Turnips Y Y Y Y Brassica rapa Wheat - Spring Y N Y Y Wheat - Winter Y N Y Y Whitecurrants Y N Wild Bird Cover Y N Y Y Y Fallow Willow Y Y Y **Forestry 2015 is eligible for BPS providing the conditions laid down are satisfied. See Paragraph 5.1 in the Terms and Conditions on Afforestation Measures for more details. ***Parcels pre-printed as 1 5 are introduced this year to help categorise temporary grassland and set out how many years a parcel has been in temporary grassland. The table below sets out the different scenarios. Scenario 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 1 Barley- Spring Barley- Spring Barley- Spring Barley- Spring Barley- Spring Year 1 Year 2 2 Barley- Spring Barley- Spring Barley- Spring Barley- Spring Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 3 Barley- Spring Barley- Spring Barley- Spring Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 4 Barley- Spring Barley- Spring Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 5 Barley- Spring Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Permanent Pasture 26 P a g e

Column 10: AEOS Parcel Please indicate by placing an X in the appropriate box for each parcel on your application form that you are claiming an AEOS measure on. Please also ensure you choose the correct Parcel Use in Column 9 for all AEOS Parcels. Continuation Sheets/Blank Forms Continuation sheets are not enclosed with your application. Should you require one please contact the Basic Payment Unit, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, TEAGASC/Agricultural Consultant or alternatively they can be accessed on the Department s website at www.agriculture.gov.ie 8. MAKING AMENDMENTS TO YOUR 2015 BPS APPLICATION FORM All paper BPS Amendment forms must be submitted directly by post or delivered by hand to the Basic Payment Unit, Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine, Government Buildings, Old Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. It is not permitted to submit your form through any other office of the Department. All Amendment forms will be acknowledged in writing by the Department and therefore, no amendments will be valid without a written acknowledgement. Applicants who wish to withdraw land, must do so in writing, and are subject to the procedures outlined for amendment forms above. Amendments up to 31 May 2015 Amendments to 2015 BPS applications, including the addition of parcels/plots, may be made up to 31 May 2015 on the BPS 2015 AMENDMENT FORM. This form sets down full details of the circumstances under which amendments during this period will be accepted. While certain amendments will be allowed after 31 May (see below), please note that if you need to amend an incorrectly claimed area or need to add parcels/plots to your 2015 application, this official Amendment form must be submitted by the 31 May 2015 deadline. Late Amendment Forms with additional parcels/plots or amended claimed areas will be accepted up to and including 9th June 2015, with a penalty. Payment on the parcel(s) concerned will be reduced by 4% for each working day in this period that the Amendment is late. Amendment forms should be completed fully and accurately, as they will become part of your 2015 BPS Application. The form is available from the Basic Payment Unit, Local Offices of the Department, from TEAGASC/AGRICULTURAL CONSULTANTS and on the Department s website at www.agriculture.gov.ie. Where the Department has already informed you of irregularities in the application or where it has given notice of its intention to carry out an on-the-spot inspection and where that on-the-spot inspection reveals irregularities, amendments shall not be authorised in respect of the agricultural parcels affected by the irregularities. 27 P a g e

Amendments after 31 May 2015 You may withdraw land, reduce the claimed area of a parcel or change use from eligible to ineligible, (for example, the transfer of a house site), from your application without penalty, at any time after the 31 May 2015 closing date for Amendments provided; the Department has not notified you about any irregularities concerning your 2015 Basic Payment Scheme application; you have not been notified of an on-the-spot inspection; you have not been either fully or partially paid under the Basic Payment Scheme. If you have been notified of an on-the-spot inspection and should that inspection subsequently reveal an irregularity, an amendment cannot be accepted to that part of your application that is affected by the irregularity found. For payment purposes, Parcels/plots of eligible land cannot be added, or claimed areas increased, after 31 May, with the exception of late Amendment Forms which will be accepted up to and including 9th June 2015, with a penalty as set out above. You are, however, permitted to correct obvious/innocent errors at any time after the 31 May 2015 closing date for Amendments. An obvious/innocent error would be a minor clerical error on your part, generally relating to missing details from your application, for example crop use. You may also change a declared crop use, provided that the original crop was eligible. The Department will consider each request to correct an obvious/innocent error on its individual merits. 9. NEW APPLICANTS Blank forms New applicants may obtain blank application forms on the Department s website www.agriculture.gov.ie. Or by contacting the Basic Payment Section of the Department s Direct Payment s Unit, Government Buildings, Old Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. Phone 057-8674400. NB Unless you are a first-time applicant, under no circumstance should you submit a nonpre-printed application form. If you mislay the pre-printed form supplied to you, you should obtain a replacement from the BPS Unit in Portlaoise. Herd Number New applicants who apply under the Basic Payment Scheme and new applicants under the other schemes which form part of the 2015 BPS application form should ensure that they have a valid Herd Number or, if not, should immediately request a herd number. Application should be made to the Department s local District Veterinary Office on or before 15 May, 2015. Details of the new Herd Number should be submitted to the Basic Payment Unit as soon as it is available. If the new applicant is taking over from a deceased herd owner, further information can be obtained from the Department s Inheritance Enquiry Unit. In all cases where a herd number is being transferred, the herd owners should apply to the Transfer of Entitlements Section. 28 P a g e

Transfer of entitlements A specific application form for the Transfer of Entitlements, including transfer by inheritance, along with the detailed rules, is available from the Transfer of Entitlement Section, Basic Payment Unit, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Eircom Building, Knockmay Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois Lo-Call 0761 064430. Forms are also available from local offices of the Department, or on the Department s website at http://www.agriculture.gov.ie or from TEAGASC/Agricultural Consultant. The closing date for Transfer applications is 15 May 2015. The requirements regarding submission and proof of submission of Transfer of Entitlements forms are the same as those for the Basic Payment Scheme itself. Inspection New applicants may be subject to an inspection by the Department in order to establish that, among other things, they are operating a farming business that is separate and independent from that of any other applicant and the business was not established to artificially create conditions with a view to obtaining advantages under any of the relevant schemes. Maps New applicants are obliged to submit a map (or maps) with their 2015 BPS application, outlining clearly the boundaries of each land parcel/plot. Where the unique Land Parcel Identification System Number (LPIS No.) is not available, enter the plot details on the 2015 BPS application form numbering them Plot 1, Plot 2 etc. Identify any new plot by outlining it carefully on either an Ordnance Survey map or a Land Registry map or a Land Parcel Identification System map, also numbering them Plot 1, Plot 2, etc on the map. Mark the maps with your name, address and herd number if available. If the map is part of a Land Registry or Ordnance Survey map, it should also be marked with the Ordnance Survey sheet number and the townland in which the parcel is located. If you wish to declare a land parcel that does not have an existing Land Parcel Identification (LPIS) number, or has not been claimed for several years, you will be required in due course to submit evidence (Land Registry Folio, and/or lease/rental agreement) which confirms you are entitled to use the parcel in question. 29 P a g e

10. CHECKLIST With a view to avoiding the need for amendments, please re-check your completed application form before submitting it to the Department using the following checklist as a guide. This should also be of benefit in minimizing errors. Ensure that your application is submitted by 15th May-penalty of 4% per day applies to late applications. Ensure the form is signed and dated (by all parties in the case of a joint application). If in you are in an Area of Natural Constraint (formerly Disadvantaged Area) and wish to apply for payment please tick the box at the top of the front page. Ensure all details are completed for each parcel/plot on the back page. I have excluded all ineligible areas including areas where no agricultural activity is being carried out, from each land parcel. There are no blank spaces for any parcel/plot in Columns 7, 8, or 9 on the back page. I have amended the pre-printed details where necessary (for example, a parcel preprinted as forage but is now in forestry). I have double checked that all of the land claimed as owned, rented or leased is available to me for a period including 31 st May 2015. I have put a line through the entire row for any pre-printed parcel that is not part of my holding on 31 May 2015. I have the supporting documentation ready to enclose with the application map, commonage evidence etc. If posting retain acceptable proof: express post receipt or registered post receipt. 30 P a g e