06 May 2025

BISS closing date fast approaching

Farmers are reminded that the deadline for submitting applications to the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) Scheme is midnight on Wednesday, May 15.

This is also the deadline for a range of other schemes including the Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers, ECO Scheme, Areas of Natural Constraints and transfers of entitlements.

Farmers must apply for BISS and other area-based payments using the department’s online facility, agfood.ie, or alternatively, farmers can contact a Farm Advisory System (FAS) approved advisor to make the application on their behalf.

Given the importance of these schemes, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has recently urged farmers to submit their applications as soon as possible, commenting: “It is critical that farmers ensure that their BISS application is submitted on time. Supports are available through in person clinics and online. Also extended opening hours will operate in Portlaoise if farmers wish to call in and discuss their application with staff of my department.”

The department has been helping farmers to make their applications in recent weeks through its in-person BISS clinics at locations around the country and there are three more clinics scheduled for this week. Additionally, farmers can also contact the Direct Payments Helpdesk on 057-8674422. The lines will be open for extended hours in the run up to the application deadline.

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