This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Reminder for farmers on support
12/05/2003
Farmers are being reminded to submit their IACS (Integrated Administration and Control System) applications before this years deadline on Thursday.
To date less than 40 per cent of farmers have returned their forms to the Scottish Executive Environment & Rural Affairs Department's area offices.
IACS covers the arable and livestock aid schemes, as well as subsidies such as those for fibre, flax and hemp. Those who wish to apply for aid under these schemes must complete an Area Aid Application (AAA) and return it to their local area office by May 15.
AAA's received after this date will be subject to progressive penalties during a 25 day period of grace for late applications, which carries over to all related schemes.
Only fully completed and valid AAA's submitted before this date will avoid penalties.
After June 9 all aid is disallowed (except AAA's involving permanent pasture only which will be admissible up to 1 July). Farmers should contact their local area office, or phone 0131 244 6139/6947 for general guidance on completing the AAA.
Farmers are also reminded that any Field Maintenance Request Forms (FMR's), which are required for the purposes of their 2003 AAA, must be submitted with their applications by the May 15 deadline. Farmers who have queries about their farm maps or field identifiers can phone
0131 244-1938 between 0900 and 1700 hours Monday to Thursday and between 0900 and 1630 hours on Friday.
In 2003 IACS applies to:
2003 Arable Area Payment Scheme (AAPS)
2003 Beef Special Premium Scheme (BSPS)
2003 Suckler Cow Premium Scheme (SCPS)
2004 Less Favoured Areas Subsidy Scheme (LFASS)
2003 Sheep Annual Premium Scheme (SAPS)
2003 Grain Legumes Scheme (GLS)
2003 Extensification Payment Scheme (EPS)
2003 Slaughter Premium Scheme (SPS)
2003 Hops Income Aid
Some 20,000 farmers should have received an IACS Explanatory Booklet (IACS(1) 2003, a base form (IACS(2), two blank Field Data Sheets (IACS(3) and a blank Field Maintenance Request (FMR) form in early March. In addition those who submitted IACS forms in 2002 and whose business has not changed will have received pre-printed Field Data Sheets (IACS(3) 2003 showing the information supplied last year. Farmers who have not received these documents should contact their local SEERAD Area Office as a matter of urgency.
Farmers can also submit their AAA electronically. Details on how to access SEERAD Online are available on www.scotland.gov.uk/about/agriculture.