The Irish Farmers Journal understands European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan is to announce a 70% advance of the Basic Payment Scheme.

Commissioner Hogan is expected to make the announcement on Thursday, the third day of the National Ploughing Championships.

€250m boost

This means that instead of farmers receiving 50% BPS of their money on 16 October, they will now receive 70% with the remaining 30% coming in December, a boost of some €250m.

The decision is being made given the recent inclement weather in Ireland which has prevented tillage farmers harvesting crops and forced livestock farmers to house cattle, thus driving up costs.

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