Clinics at Cavan and Trim assist with schemes

Farmers in Westmeath are being encouraged to take advantage of in-person clinics aimed at assisting with 2026 scheme applications, and nearby events in Cavan and Trim are likely to be of particular interest locally.

The clinics, organised by the Dept of Agriculture Food and the Marine, will provide one-to-one support for farmers completing their applications for the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) and other area-based schemes.

A total of 16 clinics will take place nationwide between April and early May, running from 10am to 4.30pm, with department staff on hand to guide farmers through the online application process ahead of the closing date of May 15.

While no clinic is scheduled for Westmeath, two nearby locations are expected to prove convenient for local farmers: the Hotel Kilmore in Cavan on April 14, and the Knightsbrook Hotel in Trim on April 21.

Announcing the initiative, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon said the clinics have become an important support for farmers in recent years.

“These clinics have been exceptionally popular and offer an opportunity for farmers to engage directly with officials from my department,” he said.

“We have excellent advisors to support farmers in making their BISS applications, but where farmers are not in a position to engage an advisor, the clinics are an excellent means of ensuring that the application is submitted correctly and on time.”

The clinics are particularly aimed at farmers who do not have a Farm Advisory System (FAS)-approved advisor, though all are welcome to attend.

BISS, which is funded under the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy, provides direct income support to farmers to underpin the sustainability and viability of their operations.

Farmers attending are advised to bring their MyAgfood.ie login details, herd number, PPSN, and mobile phone, as two-factor authentication is now required to access the system.

A full list of clinic locations is available on the department website.