Fine can mean loss of three years of payments

At worst, a farmer can lose three years of direct payment due to an administrative fine applied by the Department of Agriculture.

That’s how long the department has to recover monies owed — the three years following the year in which a determination of fine is made. Any outstanding balance at the end of this three-year period is cancelled.

Under EU tegulations the department is required to recover any monies resulting from the application of reductions and/or penalties.