Farmers can apply for EU loans rather than grants

Farmers and entrepreneurs will apply for loans rather than grants from the EU’s rural development fund under a programme unveiled by the European Commission and the European Investment Bank.

Phil Hogan, the agriculture commissioner, said he estimated the Department of Agriculture could make about €200m available over the current funding period up to 2020.

The loans may be used for a variety of developments covering not just traditional agricultural projects and farmers, but also for agri-food, LEADER, forestry, and advisory enterprises.