Farmers have been given extra time to check their records before a major agricultural support payment is assessed. The gov.ie announcement confirms that the deadline for verifying fertiliser information on the National Fertiliser Database has been extended to Friday, 30 October 2026.
The extension relates to the €46.2 million EU Fertiliser Exceptional Aid Scheme, which is designed to provide support using existing records rather than requiring farmers to complete a separate application form.
gov.ie confirms new National Fertiliser Database deadline
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon announced that farmers now have an additional week to ensure their fertiliser sales data is accurate for the 2025 fertiliser year. This period covers purchases made from 15 September 2024 to 14 September 2025.
Eligibility and payment calculations will be based on records held against a farmer’s herd number on the National Fertiliser Database. Farmers are therefore being urged to log into MyAgFood.ie and review the information recorded on their account.
Who may qualify for the automatic payment?
Farmers must satisfy all relevant conditions to qualify for payment under the scheme. These include:
- Being registered on the National Fertiliser Database by 30 October 2026.
- Having submitted a 2026 Basic Income Support for Sustainability application.
- Recording a minimum chemical fertiliser purchase of 2.5 tonnes.
- Remaining within the maximum payable limit of 100 tonnes.
What farmers should do before 30 October
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine advises farmers to check that all sales and purchase records are complete and correct. Anyone who identifies a missing fertiliser purchase should first contact the merchant that supplied it.
Fertiliser merchants are responsible for recording and updating sales information on the database. Farmers who have not yet registered must also complete registration by the extended deadline if they want to be considered for assistance.
The announcement forms part of wider official information available through gov.ie, including the scheme’s terms and conditions and a questions-and-answers document. Farmers should use those documents to confirm the full requirements applying to their circumstances.
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Why checking records matters
Because the scheme is based on existing National Fertiliser Database information, inaccurate or incomplete records could affect eligibility or the calculation of a payment. Reviewing the account promptly gives farmers time to raise any issue with their supplier before the deadline.
The key takeaway is straightforward: eligible farmers should verify their fertiliser records, complete NFD registration if necessary, and ensure they have submitted their 2026 BISS application before Friday, 30 October 2026.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie