North’s SFP errors may cost £100m

EVERY field in Northern Ireland is being re-mapped after mistakes in agricultural subsidy claims have landed it with a bill from Brussels for up to £100m.

The Northern Ireland Executive has been alerted by the European Commission of farm subsidy disallowances totalling more than £30m, resulting from errors in the administration of annual subsidy payments to farmers.

But the North’s department of agriculture is believed to be making provisions for a possible final bill of up to £100m.