SFP entitlements loss runs to €5m

IRISH farmers are believed to have missed out on about €5 million per year of single farm payments.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Mary Coughlan told the Dáil this is the estimated amount that will be surrendered to the National Reserve, when entitlements not activated in 2005, and entitlements activated but not used in 2005, 2006 or 2007, are taken into account.

When the single payment scheme was introduced in 2005 farmers were required to apply to activate their entitlements.