The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is to issue the 15% balancing payments owed to farmers – totalling €10 million – under the Green, Low-Carbon, Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS).
The Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, announced that the balancing payments will be issued today, July 7, to 15,000 farmers in the GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 scheme.
This first phase of payments completes the total payment for GLAS actions undertaken last year for 15,000 farmers.
This brings the total payments made to date in respect of GLAS 2016 to over €138 million, the department explained.
Minister Creed said: “I am delighted to be commencing these GLAS balancing payments on schedule to almost 15,000 farmers today.
This closes out the payment for actions last year to these participants. Our priority now is to continue to make payments to other eligible applicants and we will continue to make weekly payments to other eligible participants.
Farm Nutrient Management Plans
Minister Creed went on to say that the most significant outstanding issue for these applicants is the submission of a Farm Nutrient Management Plan (NMP).
“This is one of the four core actions set out at the start of the scheme to all GLAS participants.
It was made one of the core actions due to the significant economic and environmental benefits which an NMP can have for a farmer in determining how best to manage their holding.
“The 2016 balancing payment to GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 participants can only be made when the plan has been submitted and I would encourage all GLAS participants to work with their advisor and have this plan submitted as soon as possible,” he said.
The Minister concluded by noting that there are some GLAS applicants who have applied for a 2016 advance payment, but have to submit relevant documentation or other information to the department.
He encouraged these applicants to respond to the department as quickly as possible in order to try and advance their payment.