DAERA has reported that 23,676 full or balance direct payments, representing 98% of farmers, have been made this month. This amounts to £91m and adds to advance payments made in November to reach a total of £281m.

"This record number of payments, which builds on the achievements of last year (97%), has been made possible due to 100% of farmers submitting their Single Application online," DAERA said in a statement.

The Department also reported that 94% of those farmers who had been subject to a land inspection have received their payment in December – a 10% increase compared with payments to inspected farmers this time last year.

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The exchange rate used for CAP payments this year is the rate for 2018: €1 = £0.89281.

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