Government Chief Whip Joe Mc Hugh says the start of the 70% advance of the Basic Payment Scheme will benefit over 7,400 farmers in Donegal.
Over €700 million is being paid out nationally, almost €34 million of it being paid out locally.
Minister McHugh said payments should start hitting bank account in the coming days.
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Statement in full –
€33.8M for Donegal farmers under 2017 Basic Payments Scheme – McHugh
The start of the 70% advance of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) will benefit over 7,400 farmers in Donegal, Fine Gael TD for Donegal Joe McHugh has said.
Over €700 million to 111,000 farmers will now be sent out to farmers across the country with €33,889,000 paid out locally.
Minister McHugh said: “This advance payment is a welcome for farmers here in Donegal and the payments should start hitting bank account in the coming days.
“My Fine Gael colleague Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed also confirmed to me that the level of the advance payment is set at 70% for this year rather than 50% as provided for in the EU legislation.
“These payments will benefit 7,492f armers here in Donegal and will have positive knock on effects to our rural communities as a whole.
“The remaining 30% and other BPS-related payments such as Young Farmer Scheme and National Reserve top-ups will be paid in December.
“The Agriculture and Food sector is a strategic priority for Fine Gael. We recognise that farm families are the heartbeat of the rural economy and our vision for the sector will inspire the next generation to continue the tradition of family farming,” Minister McHugh added.
Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed added that “the advance BPS payment and the ANC payments taken together mean that over €880 million has now issued to Irish farmers in the last month. These payments provide a significant financial boost for individual farmers and the wider rural economy.
“I was delighted to secure an increase in the ANC scheme allocation for 2018. This €25 million increase will provide direct financial support to farmers in the most marginal areas of the Country.”
EDITORS NOTE:
- Advance payments will continue issuing regularly until mid-November, with balancing payments to commence issuing from early December.
- In order to facilitate farmers who wish to contact the Department in relation to their BPS or ANC payments, extended hours are now in place for the Direct Payments Helpline.
- For the period from 17th October to 21st October, farmers can ring the Department at 076 106 4420 between 9am and 8.30pm on weekdays and from 9am to 1pm on Saturday.
