Initial run of Single Farm Payments worth €538m welcomed by farmers

Farmers have welcomed the timely issuing of €538m by Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney in the initial payments run for the Single Farm Payment (SFP).

Making the announcement at the department’s offices in Portlaoise, Co Laois, Mr Coveney said: “Today marks the start of payments under the 2012 SFP, part of a broader payment process which, by year-end, will have delivered in excess of €1.4bn to farmers.

“This €538m to almost 88% of all applicants, when taken with the €173m which has issued since Sept 26 in respect of the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, represents a significant financial boost for both the individual farmers who will receive these payments and also the wider rural economy.”