Creed Announces Payments Worth Over €140 Million Under 2016 Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, T.D., today announced that payments under the 2016 Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme and Areas of Specific Constraint (Islands) scheme, worth over €140 million, have started issuing to almost 65,000 farmers.
The Minister commented “These payments represent a significant and timely financial boost for farmers and for the wider rural economy. My Department will continue to clear remaining cases for payment over the coming weeks as a matter of priority”
The Minister also confirmed that arrangements are on target to facilitate payment of the advance of 70% the Basic Payment Scheme with effect from 17 October.
The Minister added “the 2016 ANC and BPS schemes saw a significant increase in online applications which brings benefits for farmers and my Department in terms of more efficient processing of applications. This trend will continue as we move towards 100% online applications from 2018”
Note to editors
The Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme / Areas of Specific Constraint (Islands) scheme is a central scheme in the Rural Development Programme, 2014-2020. It aims to compensate farmers for the significant hardships they face in farming specifically designated lands.
In line with previous years, not all applications are currently cleared for payment under the scheme. In particular, many farmers have yet to satisfy the annual average stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare for the calendar year. However, farmers have until 31 Dec 2016 to do so. Such cases can only be cleared for payment once this requirement has been confirmed.
Regular pay runs will continue in the coming weeks to ensure cleared cases are processed for payment as quickly as possible. Farmers should submit any outstanding stocking evidence in support of their application to the Department’s Portlaoise Office as soon as possible to facilitate the early release of payments.
To view this Press Release as a PDF: DAFMPR 114/2016 (pdf 370Kb)
Date Released: 20 September 2016
