€50m in premiums paid to farmers

Ireland: Balancing payments under the suckler cow premium, special beef premium and slaughter premium schemes had commenced with more than €50 million already paid, Farm Minister Joe Walsh has announced.

Mr Walsh said the total amount paid to farmers under the 2002 compensatory allowance and premium schemes stands at €1.095 billion.

Balancing payments will continue over the coming weeks. The EU deadline for completing balancing payments under the bovine schemes and for making extensification premium payments is June 30, 2003.