Balancing payments of €370m to be issued to farmers under scheme

THE issuing of €370 million in balancing payments to farmers under the single payment scheme starts today.

Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith said the 30% balancing money will bring to €1.23 billion the total paid out to almost 122,000 farmers since October 16.

Given the circumstances experienced by farmers this year, he said he was particularly pleased in the light of a European Commission decision to bring forward advance payments of over €864m.