Farmers’ debt pressures worsened by delay in schemes’ payments

THOUSANDS of farmers are still awaiting receipt of payment under the Single Farm Payment Scheme (SFP) and the Disadvantaged Area Scheme (DAS), despite the Department of Agriculture’s insistence the payments are rolling out on schedule.

Farmers are contacting the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) to seek clarity on the delays. The ICMSA estimates that, while most have received partial payment, up to 23,000 farmers are awaiting at least part of their due payment. Their recurring complaint is that they cannot get a date from the department for digitisation.

ICMSA deputy president John Comer said the serious cash-flow and debt repayment pressures experienced by farmers are being exacerbated by the delay.