Small farmers scheme
The heart of the small farmers scheme is a simplified subsidisation scheme to which in principle each farmer can change at his/her own discretion.
Holdings which opted for the simplified subsidisation scheme are exempted from sanctions in the case of infringements of the other obligations (cross compliance). In addition, these holdings are exempted from the greening requirements.
The small farmers scheme applies to holdings which fulfil all eligibility conditions for direct payments (DP), obtain no more than EUR 1,250.00 of DP annually or were in a position to receive more than EUR 1,250.00 DP annually, but opted actively for participation in this scheme and thus voluntarily limit the amount of the direct payment they receive to a maximum of EUR 1,250.00.
Holdings with a DP of up to EUR 1,250.00 participate in the small farmers scheme automatically, unless they withdraw from the scheme at their own request. Withdrawal is possible in any year of application, but entry of the scheme was only possible until 15 October 2015.
For more detailed information, please see the AMA information leaflet on direct payments - general information here.