IFA Deputy President Brian Rushe has got assurances from the Department of Agriculture that delays in payments will not recur this year as a result of the Land parcel LPIS review.
In 2019, the review resulted in some delays in payments particularly in Co Louth and parts of Meath due to digitizing of maps.
These delays resulted in severe financial hardship on the farmers affected.
Speaking following a meeting of the Charter of Farmers Rights in Portlaoise recently, Brian Rushe said that it was vitally important that any adjustment to maps resulting from more advanced technology must be communicated to farmers much earlier than last year and that the digitizing process cannot interfere with payments later in the year.
The Department of Agriculture has already commenced writing out to farmers with amended maps.
Information meetings on the LPIS review will take place over the coming weeks and farmers should watch out for the dates relevant to their areas when they are advertised.
The LPIS review will be fully completed nationally by 2022.
In relation to this year’s BPS application which opened for application in mid-February, 8,000 farmers have already made their online application.
The Department also informed IFA that they will be operating information clinics in April/May to help farmers make their online application.
IFA is urging farmers to apply well in advance of the 15th May deadline.
Brian Rushe pointed out that given the severe financial situation on farms due to low commodity prices and the recent inclement weather all outstanding payments due from last year must be paid out without delay.
This includes balancing payments for GLAS, Sheep Welfare and a small number of BPS and ANC cases.
