Farmers set to receive €800m in single farm payment advance

OVER €800 million will be issued to almost 114,000 farmers from next Monday in a 70% advance of the single farm payment.

The European Commission agreed to the high percentage advance pay-out six weeks earlier than normal to ease the income crisis affecting farmers.

Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith said it was further welcome news for farmers and for the rural economy as a whole following on from the payment to date of €200m to some 92,000 farmers under the disadvantaged areas scheme.