Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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264. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if those that made a simple error on their BPS 2020 applications (details supplied) will be allowed to be included for payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31895/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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In order to be eligible for the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme, farmers must apply for the scheme by completing the relevant section of the Basic Payment Scheme application form  using the Department’s online application system at www.agfood.ie.  Farmers may choose  not to apply for the ANC scheme in any given year for a number of reasons such as changes to their farming practice, loss of eligible ANC land through the ending of lease agreements or as a result of retiring from farming.

The application process is reviewed and refined annually to ensure that it is as clear and straight forward as possible. 

When completing the Basic Payment Scheme online application, under a heading of “Other Schemes and Activities”, individuals are requested to tick a box to confirm if they wish to apply for the ANC scheme. If they do not tick the ANC box, they are reminded that they applied the previous year  but have not ticked the box for the current application.

Farmers may appeal to my Department should they feel there are specific Force Majeure/Exceptional Circumstances as to why they did not apply for the ANC scheme when submitting their Basic Payment Scheme application.  Farmers should do so in writing to the address below, setting out the reasons and providing any additional supporting information/documentation that may be relevant to their appeal.  All such appeals will be considered on a case by case basis. 

The address appeals should be sent to is:

Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Government Buildings, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, R32RPA6.