Ireland supports Austrian bid for EU to defer ANC changes

Farmers in disadvantaged areas are hoping the EU agrees to Austria’s request to defer a review of eligibility criteria for ANC (areas of natural constraint) supports for at least 12 months.

In reply to a Dáil question by Fianna Fáil TD Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed confirmed that Ireland has backed Austria’s proposal to extend the current scheme. An EU-Irish co-funded scheme, the ANC delivered €205m to almost 100,000 Irish farmers last year.

The Government has committed to a €25m top-up in 2018 to reverse cuts imposed since 2009. Prior to the recession, Irish ANC payments totalled €250m annually.