The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has released a guidance note and application form for those farmers who are seeking to transfer or obtain Historic Entitlements for the 2010 Countryside Care Scheme year which starts on 1st April 2010.

A briefing meeting will be held for interested parties on Friday 15th January 2010 at Knockaloe, starting at 10 am.

Applications to transfer Historic Entitlements must be made to DAFF between 1st February and 12th March 2010 but both parties involved need to complete a number of tasks well in advance of this date, to meet conditions required by DAFF.

The guidance note and application form can be obtained from DAFF or downloaded from http://www.gov.im/daff/countryside_care

Historic Entitlements form the basis for the calculation of subsidy payments made to farmers under the Countryside Care Scheme which was launched in April 2009.

These entitlements are based on previous support received by applicants and require a farmer to have one eligible acre per entitlement in order to be able to claim a payment. 

The briefing meeting on 15th January will explain the transfer application process and also what it means to the farm businesses involved. 

DAFF Minister Phil Gawne commented, "Historic Entitlements are valuable assets but it is important that all involved understand the process and the conditions under which the Department will accept applications for their transfer.

"I hope that the Guidance Note, briefing session and Farmers’ Handbook will provide all the information required by those who wish to pursue this matter."