Farm Advisory System (FAS)

Article 15 of Regulation (EU) No. 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council requires Member States to provide a Farm Advisory System (FAS).

The aim of the FAS is to ensure that Advisors have the appropriate skills, knowledge and competency to provide suitable advice to farmers on a range of issues including but not limited to, land eligibility, conditionality, scheme applications and to help farmers to meet their obligations and avoid financial reductions under EU and nationally funded Schemes.

An approved FAS advisor should act as a ‘general consultant’, linking all the different elements of farming with the various compliance requirements.

The existence of FAS ensures that each farmer can seek and receive advice on their obligations. The use of the FAS is voluntary.

For queries contact farmadvisorysystem@agriculture.gov.ie.

If you wish to attend the FAS training simply email farmadvisorysystem@agriculture.gov.ie expressing interest to attend and provide transcript of results for your bachelor’s degree. Once the training details are finalised, we will contact you through your email with the invitation to attend the in-person training day (no fees applicable). The applicants who attend the training in full will receive instructions afterwards with the necessary FAS form and required documents for a review. If your qualifications are deemed sufficient for the FAS approval and you also return the FAS form, we will grant you access to the CPD portal. All modules must be completed prior to your FAS approval.

Education

In order to be an accredited FAS advisor, the minimal educational Qualifications required are listed below:

- A primary degree qualification at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) in Agricultural Science, and,

- Have taken soil science and an animal or crop production subject as part of the Level 8 Degree or have taken soil science and animal or crop production subjects equivalent to that delivered as part of the Level 8 degree as part of another qualification.

o N.B - A degree transcript from the relevant institution will be sought from each applicant by DAFM for verification of educational qualifications.

In person FAS Training

All new applicants must attend the annual in-person FAS training provided by DAFM in full. Attending part of the training day will be deemed insufficient for the FAS approval. FAS training for the new applicants takes place once a year and the next scheduled date will be early in 2026. To book a place, please contact farmadvisorysystem@agriculture.gov.ie.

Acceptance of Terms and Conditions

Each year all current and new applicants will be issued with the FAS application form to be signed and dated. The form must be completed in its entirety (except where a new applicant has not received their AGT/AGY number). All pages must be returned to farmadvisorysystem@agriculture.gov.ie.

Each agricultural agent must have their own unique email address.

Professional Indemnity Insurance

Each applicant must provide a valid Professional Indemnity Insurance Certificate to a minimum of €150,000 per advisor. Please note the insurance should be in date and with a business description clearly stating, “Agricultural Consultant”. The insurance can be provided by your employer or purchased in your own name/agency. All correspondence with the section should be via work email address where applicable.

Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

If it is established that your Educational Qualifications satisfy the requirements for you to be considered for FAS approval, you will be granted access to the DAFM Continuous Professional Development (CPD) eLearning portal. CPD involves the upskilling of Farm Advisory System (FAS) approved Agricultural Advisors in some of the key priority areas for the sector (biodiversity, ecology, climate change, water and soil, health and safety etc). Please note that the CPD modules are on subjects relevant to your development as a FAS Advisor and must all be completed prior to you being considered for FAS approval.

Register as an FAS Approved Agricultural Agent

As a suitably qualified planner, advisor or consultant with recognised experience in completing significant application forms on behalf of farmers, you can submit the form below to Online Services. Please note you can only register as an agent and receive access to Agfood account once you are FAS approved, and your details are published on the official list on the Department’s website.

https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/forms/agentagency-registration-form/

List of Approved Advisors

FAS Advisor List Updated – 12 November 2025