Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD today announced the introduction of a new instalment scheme for dairy farmers, to facilitate staggered payments of the 2015 superlevy bill over the next three years.

Minister Coveney said ‘I am delighted to announce the introduction of this Scheme today. It will significantly ease the cash flow burden on dairy farmers facing a superlevy bill in 2015. I have secured the agreement of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to pay the full amount of the levy in 2015, on the understanding that the monies will be recouped in instalments from applicants in 2015, 2016 and 2017. I am satisfied that this approach will be of significant benefit to all dairy farmers facing a levy in 2015, including those considering expansion.”

The scheme will ease the cash flow burden on dairy farmers, who would otherwise have to pay the entire bill in 2015. It follows the introduction by the European Commission of legislation to allow for such payments to be spread in three annual instalments, without interest.

Milk producers who wish to avail of the scheme will be obliged to pay the first one third of the liability to the Department before 1 October 2015. The two remaining instalments must be paid by the same date in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

Milk producers will apply, through their milk purchaser, to participate in this Scheme. Application forms and terms and conditions are being distributed to milk purchasers, who will deduct the payment due from the milk payments to farmers in the peak milk production months of May-September each year. The deadline for farmer applications is 30^th June 2015.

Note to Editor:  FAQ's also attached - Instalment Scheme for the Payment of the 2014/2015 Super Levy - Frequently Asked Questions (pdf 749Kb) 

View Press Release as a PDF:  DAFMPR 113/2015 (pdf 503Kb) xxxx

Date Released: 18 June 2015