Payments under a variety of key schemes will issue to farmers in the coming months.
Under the Farmers Charter, the timelines for the payments have been agreed between the Department of Agriculture and Farm Organisations.
IFA Deputy President Richard Kennedy has said that with direct payments due to commence over the next month, IFA is insisting that there are no delays in the payment of more than €1.6bn to farmers in this most difficult year for the agricultural sector.
At a meeting with the Department of Agriculture in Portlaoise, Richard Kennedy said the timelines outlined in the Farmer Charter of Rights must be rigidly observed this year.
Payments Summary
1. Areas of Natural Constraint (Disadvantage Payments)
Full payment to commence in the third week of September with target of 100% payment in respect of clear cases
2. Basic Payment Scheme and Greening Payment
Advance Payments: 100% of cleared cases and 90% of all applications to be paid on October 16
Balancing Payments: a target of 100% of all applications on December 1
3. Young Farmers Scheme
Target payment date of December 1 for all applications.
Paid as a complete payment.
4. National Reserve
Target payment date of December 1 for all applications.
Paid as a complete payment.
5. AEOS/GLAS/REPS
Payment of up to 75% will commence third week of October.
Payment of 25% balance will commence when all inspections completed, normally mid-December.
6. Beef Data & Genomics
Payments will commence in mid-December in the year of application
The IFA has said that ANC payments, which commence in the week beginning September 19, must have a higher payout than last year. Up to 100,000 farmers benefit from ANC payments to the tune of €205m.
In relation to the BPS, the Department has confirmed to IFA that the advance payment of 70% will commence on Monday, October 17. This is in recognition of the very difficult income position on farms in 2016. IFA expects the speed of payment this year to better last year as the new system arising from CAP reform is well bedded down now. IFA will be insisting that any inspection cases must not hold up payments.
With more than 38,000 farmers in GLAS, full year payments worth €167m must be paid out from October. IFA has been informed that payments will be paid in two phases – 85% followed shortly after by the remaining 15%, the IFA Deputy President said.