1,000 island farmers set to benefit from ANC top-up

Islands connected to the mainland by a permanent access route will not be eligible for a proposed disadvantaged areas top-up.

The rural development programme 2014-2020, recently submitted to the EU Commission for approval, includes a top-up of €150 per forage hectare where a farmer is an island resident, and €75 where a farmer is not a resident but is actively farming island lands.

Simon Coveney, the agriculture minister, said his department would identify and investigate all islands, whether offshore or on inland lakes and rivers, and determine their eligibility.