€220m boost to farmers as ploughing gets under way

STEPS to ease cash-flow problems among farmers were announced as they planned to travel to the three-day national ploughing championships which start in Athy, Co Kildare, today.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Brendan Smith announced that payments of around €220 million to more than 100,000 farmers under the disadvantaged areas scheme will commence this week.

He also confirmed that payments in the region of €800m will begin issuing under the 2009 single payment scheme on October 16, a full six weeks earlier than provided for under the rules.