One week left for aid claims

07 May 1999

One week left for aid claims

By FWi staff

FARMERS have just over a week to submit their applications for area aid payments under the arable and livestock schemes.

Producers must submit applications by 15 May or risk losing European Union subsidy payments for 1999, the government warned yesterday (Thursday).

It is also vital that forms should be completed fully and accurately, or strict financial penalties will be applied, said a Ministry of Agriculture statement.

Farmers should carefully check their Field Data Printout to ensure it correctly represents the current use and the cropped area of each of their fields.

From this year, Integrated Administrative Control System (IACS) applications must also be submitted by farmers wishing to claim Fibre Flax Subsidies, Hemp Subsidies or Hops Income Aid Subsidies.

Due to the bad weather conditions experienced by farmers since last autumn, the European Commission extended the sowing date for arable crops to 31 May.

This later sowing date applies to this year only and covers all crops except sweetcorn which may be sown until 15 June.

IACS applications should indicate the crops which will be sown before those dates.

If farmers have any queries on the completion of their forms they should contact the IACS Section at their local Regional Service Centre.

All centres will be open from 9am to 3pm on Saturday 15 May should applicants wish to deliver their claim in person on that day.