Proposal to delay part of disadvantaged area payment a ‘body blow’ to farmers

A PROPOSAL to make an advanced payment as opposed to a full payment for disadvantaged areas from next week was described by the Irish Farmers’ Association as a body blow to low-income farmers anxiously awaiting the full amount.

Its president John Bryan said this move is unprecedented and unacceptable as farmers expected that they would receive their full payment in the normal way from next week.

He was also critical of the fact that over 20,000 farmers are facing delays with the advanced payment as a result of mapping and processing problems.