The regulations governing the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) require that administrative checks must be carried out on all applications and on-the-spot checks must be carried out on at least 5% of beneficiaries.
The regulations further provide that Member States may issue up to 75% of the payment, but no more than that, once all administrative checks have been completed. The balancing 25% may issue only after all on-the-spot checks have been completed. It is not an option to make the full AEOS payment in a single instalment without deferring payment until such time as all checks are complete. It is for that reason that my Department opts to issue payment in two tranches, ensuring that participants receive up to 75% of the entire amount due as soon as possible.