Over last the number of months the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has started to roll out new schemes under the CAP 2023-2027. Many of these schemes are linked to a farmer’s application for Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS). Applications for BISS 2023 close at midnight on 29 May.
All farmers participating in the Organic Farming Scheme must complete a BISS application annually declaring all relevant land parcels as “in-conversion” or “organic”.
DAFM is organising a series of clinics and public meetings nationwide on Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) and other area-based schemes between March and May 2023. As well as the Organic Farming Scheme, several incentive-based schemes may be relevant to organic farmers – see table below for details.
Scheme | Rationale | Status |
Grant aid of up to 60% for eligible costs towards farm buildings as well as specialised equipment and machinery for different organic sub-sectors. | Pending | |
Incentivises uptake of basic agri-environmental practices, with farmers required to undertake 1-2 specific land management practices | Part of BISS Application Deadline 29 May 2023 | |
Encourages farmers to grow protein crops or mixes of cereal and protein crops to reduce the dependency on imported feed. | Part of BISS Application Deadline 29 May 2023 | |
Seeking to improve efficiencies in the beef sector through replacement strategies, genotyping, weighing, and data recording. | Separate Application Deadline 22nd May 2023 | |
Designed to increase soil organic carbon and consequently soil organic matter and biological activity through the chopping and incorporation of straw | Part of BISS Application Deadline 29 May 2023 | |
Further incentivises the uptake of agri-environmental practices either on an individual farm (ACRES General) or collectively with a group of farms (ACRES Co-operation). | Next Tranche Expected Autumn 2023 | |
Supports young farmers for up to 5 years who are entering the agriculture sector for the first time | Part of BISS Application Deadline 29 May 2023 | |
Knowledge Transfer Groups | Advisor-facilitated skills and knowledge transfer across different areas of farm and land management | June 2023 |
