Minister: Processing of farm scheme payments is at an ‘advanced’ stage

FARM scheme payments which began on September 22 will continue to be made to farmers whose applications have been processed and where all errors were cleared.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Brendan Smith yesterday reaffirmed: “Payments of almost €1.5 billion under the single payment scheme, disadvantaged areas scheme and the grassland sheep scheme would be made before the end of the year.”

More than 67,000 farmers had submitted maps identifying areas to be excluded from their eligible land parcels, three times as many as in 2009.

The minister confirmed that processing of applications under the 2010 single payment scheme is at an advanced stage, with the 50% advance payments, starting from October 18, to those applicants whose applications have been fully cleared, with the balancing payments being made from December 1, as provided for in the regulations.

Responding to recent criticisms about letters sent by the department to farmers, Mr Smith said the department’s main objective is to process applications quickly.