100,000 farmers waiting on Disadvantaged Area payments

MORE than 100,000 farmers are still awaiting Disadvantaged Area payments, it emerged yesterday.

Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith came under increased pressure yesterday from both the ICMSA and the IFA over ongoing delays in full Disadvantaged Area payments.

The two main farming bodies said 100,000 farmers are still awaiting the full direct payments, overdue since mid-September, as a result of processing problems and difficulties with maps.