SHARING OPTIONS: The Department has urged farmers and advisers to avail of the early opening of the application process. The 2021 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening scheme has opened for applications, the Department of Agriculture has announced. Farmers will be receiving a BPS information pack in the post containing maps and land details in the coming days. Farmers will be also be notified of the value of their payment entitlements through agfood.ie. This year, there will be a cut of 2.05% to all payments due to a reduced EU budget agreed in late 2020. The information in the pack will assist farmers in making their online application.