Press release
2024 Basic Income Support for Sustainability scheme opens for applications
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine today opened the application process for the 2024 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS), Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS), Eco-Schemes and the other related schemes.
Over the coming days, farmers will be receiving a BISS information pack in the post containing their maps and land details for 2024. The pack will also include a useful help sheet. This information will assist farmers and their advisors to make their online application. The closing date for BISS applications in 2024 is Wednesday 15th May 2024. Farmers and advisors are urged to avail of the early opening of the application process now rather than waiting until nearer the closing date.
Farmers can apply for all elements of Direct Payments (BISS, Eco-Schemes, Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers, Protein Aid, National Reserve, transferring of entitlements) online. This helps to ensure that the Department can process all applications under these schemes as efficiently as possible.
Farmers are reminded to check that they have correctly applied for the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) and Eco-Scheme, if applicable. Annual payment claims for the Straw Incorporation Measure, ACRES and the Organic Farming Scheme can also be made online. In the case of ACRES Tranche 2 applicants, access to the BISS application system will be made available on a gradual basis over the coming weeks, as approvals issue and as the required updates to mapping systems are made.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP) is a partnership between society and agriculture that ensures a stable supply of food, safeguards farmers’ income, protects the environment and keeps rural areas vibrant. EU countries implement the CAP at national level with a CAP Strategic Plan for the period 2023-2027.
The Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) is designed to provide a direct income support to Irish farmers to underpin their continued sustainability and viability. The Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) and Eco-Scheme are funded by the EU.
Over the coming days, farmers will be receiving their 2024 BISS packs in the post. The pack contains a Health and Safety Authority (HSA) leaflet along with a BISS help sheet, an Area Monitoring System (AMS) leaflet, maps, cover letter and a statement of lands.
Full Terms and Conditions are available online, or on request as outlined below. The help sheet included in all farmers’ BISS packs is available at: https://www.gov.ie/en/service/4ae67-basic-income-support-for-sustainability-biss-scheme/
Should farmers wish to contact the Department in relation to online application they can do so at:
• 049 4368288 in relation to queries on registering for www.agfood.ie – for example queries on lost passwords, how to register etc.
• 057 8674422 in relation to queries on completing the BISS application once registered on www.agfood.ie or to request a paper copy of the Terms and Conditions.
As is customary at the opening of the applications window, certain groups of applicants will not be able to apply at the very start. This is to ensure that the farmer and advisor have access to all relevant information when submitting the BISS application which in turn supports the Department in processing applications as efficiently as possible. Access for these applicants will be provided in ample time to allow all applications to be made before the closing date.
The Department is constantly looking for ways to support and engage with farmers in proactive actions to reduce the risk of TB transmission from badgers to cattle on farms. The Department has location data on badger setts throughout the country from a combination of surveys carried out by the Wildlife Unit as well as farmer notifications through the Department’s badger app. The online maps now contain a new Badger Setts Layer which shows where badger setts had been found and allows farmers to fence off identified badger setts to ensure cattle would not have access to the sett opening where the risk of transmission is highest.