All farmers with REPS anniversary dates between 1 March 2004 and 1 February 2005 have been offered the opportunity to transform to REPS 3 by availing of a simplified transformation procedure put in place by the Department of Agriculture and Food. From 1 March 2005, every participant in REPS 2 will continue to have a choice between staying in REPS 2 for the rest of his or her contract, or transferring to REPS 3 by submitting a new five-year plan. A farmer who wishes to transfer to REPS 3 will be required to submit an application, accompanied by a new REPS 3 farm plan, to the local agricultural environment and structures office in the six weeks before his or her next anniversary date under REPS 2.