Farmers in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland will begin to receive advanced Basic Payment Scheme payments from today.
The Minister for Agriculture, Minister Creed said earlier this month that he has prioritised payments under the BPS scheme, with a 70% advance payment to be made from today.
“This early payment in conjunction with the Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme, GLAS and AEOS payments collectively are worth over €1.5 billion annually to farmers”, he said.
Over 19,000 farm businesses in Northern Ireland will also receive advanced payments today.
Northern Ireland is the first part of the UK to introduce advance payments, as the department realises the values of these payments to the farming community, the North’s Minister for Agriculture, Michelle McIlveen has said.
“I have long been aware that many farmers are facing significant challenges and, from the moment I was appointed, I was determined to introduce advance payments to help.
“I am therefore pleased to announce that, from Monday, more than 19,000 farm businesses in all parts of Northern Ireland will receive 70% of their 2016 Basic Payment allocation.”
Funds will arrive in bank accounts by Thursday (October 20). These advance payments should help ease some of the immediate pressures on farmers.
The Minister also said that her department will aim to issue advance payments to 80% of eligible farm businesses with full payments being made to 95% of farmers by end of December 2016.
The increase in the number of farmers who submitted their Single Application online in 2016 helped to make advance payments possible, the Minister said.
“It is clear for all to see the advantages of submitting Single Applications online, with my decision to introduce advance payments.
“This year 62% of farm businesses submitted their Single Application via the online system, an increase of 16% on 2015.
“Submitting applications online allows my officials to spend less time checking and devote more resources into ensuring that more farmers receive full payment earlier.”