Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has announced the opening of the application process for the 2026 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS).

This application process also covers the Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS), Eco-Schemes and other related schemes.

Farmers can apply for all elements of direct payments, including BISS, Eco-Schemes, Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers, Protein Aid, National Reserve, transferring of entitlements, online.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) said this helps to "ensure that the department can process all applications under these schemes as efficiently as possible".

The closing date for BISS applications is Friday, May 15, 2026.

BISS

DAFM has reminded farmers to check that they have correctly applied for the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC), Eco-Scheme, and continued participation in Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers, if applicable.

Annual payment claims for the Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM); Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) and the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) can also be made online.

The department urged farmers to carefully read the terms and conditions of schemes.

In particular, tillage farmers have been urged to read the changes around Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions 7 (GAEC 7) - Crop Rotation and Diversification in Arable Lands.

GAEC 7 is concerned with improving soil quality and health and reducing the dependency of chemical pesticides through control of weed, pest and disease spread.The two implementing aspects of GAEC 7 in 2026 are: crop rotation and crop diversification or crop diversification only

Minister Heydon that "over the coming weeks, farmers will be receiving a BISS information pack in the post containing their maps and land details for 2026".

"This information will assist farmers and their advisors to make their online application," he said.

"Where farmers make use of advisory services to submit their form, I urge them to engage early with their advisor, to avail of the opening of the application process now rather than waiting until nearer the closing date," the minister added.

Farm Safety

As part of the terms and conditions for 2026, a new section regarding farm safety, health and wellbeing has been included.

Minister of State with responsibility for Farm Safety, Michael Healy-Rae said this text reminds farmers of their obligations and also the supports available to them through various schemes.

"Tragically, 24 farmers lost their lives in incidents on Irish farms in 2025, double the number of fatal incidents in 2024.

"I want farmers to know that while they have obligations under health and safety legislation, department supports are available.

"If you are struggling and finding it difficult to cope reach out and talk to someone you trust, an advisor, a GP or a helpline," he said.

DAFM

The department noted that as is customary at the opening of the applications window certain groups of applicants will not be able to apply.

"This year, some ACRES applicants will not be able to apply for the first few weeks to ensure that the farmer and advisor have access to all relevant information when submitting the BISS application.

"This helps to ensure that the department can process all applications under these schemes as efficiently as possible.

"These restrictions on applications will lift with ample time to allow all applications to be made before the closing date," the department said.

DAFM also advised farmers who are considering transfers of payment entitlements for 2026 and future years to note that the current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) cycle is due to close at the end of 2027.

The draft regulations from the European Commission for the next CAP do not currently contain provision for the continuation of the system of payment entitlements from 2028.

If farmers wish to contact the department in relation to their online application they can do by calling:

049 4368288 in relation to queries on registering for Agfood.ie – for example queries on lost passwords, how to register;
057 8674422 in relation to queries on completing the BISS application once registered on www.agfood.ie or to request a paper copy of the terms and conditions.