The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister Andrew Muir has today (Tuesday, March 4) announced that the 2025 Single Application and map service is now open.
The 2025 Entitlement Transfer Service will now open later in March and remain open until May 15.
The Single Application is the method for claiming the following schemes:
- Farm Sustainability Transition Payment (FSTP) (formerly Basic Payment Scheme BPS);
- Young Farmers’ Payment (YFP);
- Regional Reserve Entitlement allocation or top-up (as a Young Farmer or New Entrant);
- Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS);
- Farm Woodland Premium Scheme (FWPS);
- Farm Woodland Scheme (FWS);
- Forest Expansion Scheme (Annual Premia);
- Small Woodland Grant Scheme (SWGS); or
- Protein Crops Scheme
The Single Application and map service also allows farmers to notify DAERA of any changes to their land in 2025. The department said that this should be done early to avoid penalties.
Single Application
Minister Muir said that the Single Application “offers access to significant funding that will support farm businesses and our rural economy”.
“These payments are a vital source of income for many farmers and highlight our ongoing commitment to building a resilient and sustainable agri-food sector across Northern Ireland.
“This year introduces the Farm Sustainability Transition Payment (FSTP) which will replace the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and aid the transition to the Farm Sustainability Payment in 2026.
“The rules of FSTP are similar to BPS, although farmers will now have until May 15 to trade entitlements and this will be the final year that eligible farmers can apply for the Young Farmers’ Payment (YFP) and the Regional Reserve,” he said.
Farm businesses successful in their application for the YFP, will retain their ability to apply for payment for the full 5 year term.
Minister Muir encouraged farmers to apply as soon as possible through DAERA online services, and before Thursday, May 15 to avoid late claim penalties.
He added that the final date for Single Applications is Monday, June 9.
The FSTP will have the same scheme rules as the BPS, meaning that the minimum claim size remains at 3ha of eligible land and farmers will require 3 entitlements.
As area-based schemes move towards more digital communications, farmers are advised to register for a DAERA online account and regularly check their email for communications from DAERA.
If farmers need help or guidance with their application they can call the DAERA advisory service helpline on 0300 200 7848 and ask to speak with the Single Application Team.
Guidance documents and videos will be available on the DAERA to provide step-by-step instructions on completing the Single Application.
Alternatively, an agent or trusted person can be nominated by farmers to complete the application on their behalf.
