ICMSA demands timely payment of schemes for under-pressure farmers

The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) has advised the Department of Agriculture that farmers are in critical need of timely issuing of farm-payment schemes.

ICMSA deputy president Pat McCormack has urged the department to avoid repeating the inordinately long delays which some farmers experienced in 2015.

The Basic Payment Scheme is due to be paid by October 16, while farmers are due to receive the ANC (formerly Disadvantaged Areas Scheme) payment by the third week in September.