Sheep scheme payments commence this week

PAYMENT of €18 million in the 2010 Grassland Sheep Scheme was due to commence this week to all ewe flock owners whose applications are fully processed and clear for payment.

Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith said it had been intended to make these payments in early December, but technical questions raised by the European Commission had to be resolved before payments could commence.

ICSA sheep chairman, Mervyn Sunderland, welcomed the payment, worth up to €2,100 per farm.