DARD signals improvements to payment methods

Improvements to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) payment methods have today been announced.

These changes are part of DARD's strategy to make all payments more secure and efficient.

After Christmas this year, all DARD payable orders will have a crossing of "Account Payee Only". They will be non-transferable and will only be able to be lodged into the bank account of the named payee.

DARD farm businesses, suppliers, students, employees etc. will require a bank account in which to lodge the payable order.

The change to the crossing on payable orders is also in response to the four local banks encouraging organisations and businesses to increase the security of their payments which are in the form of payable orders or cheques.

As a result of this change DARD is keen that all its payments are made electronically using the Bankers Automated Clearing System (BACS) which makes payments directly into a payee bank account.

Farm businesses that have already provided their bank account details or completed and returned a BACS form recently do not need to do so again unless there are changes to the details originally provided.

Any farm businesses who are not already receiving their payments by BACS should change their payment method and complete the form received previously and return it without delay to: Grants and Subsidies Payments Branch, Systems Management Section, Room 9, Orchard House, 40 Foyle Street, Londonderry, BT48 6AT.

BACS forms are available on the DARD website on www.dardni.gov.uk or alternatively by telephoning Orchard House on (028) 7129 9074.

(EF)