Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney announced details of the direct aid package for the dairy and pig sectors worth €27.4m in December, with €1m set aside for pig farmers.

The Department said today it is “currently finalising details on the mechanism for distribution to the pig sector”.

A final decision was to be made in early January.

ADVERTISEMENT

Dairy payment

Meanwhile, some 17,500 dairy farmers have so far received a payment of €1,395. The payment, made on a flat-rate basis, and was paid on 22 December. A small number of additional dairy farmers are still being processed.

“We are hoping to be in a position to finalise any remaining payments by the end of January,” a Department of Agriculture spokesperson said.

Support for farmers

The direct aid package for the dairy and pig sector comprised €13.7m of EU funding and a further €13.7m in matching national funding.

The Minister has also committed to a further €800 payment to those farmers who are successful applicants under the Young Farmers Scheme. This top-up will be paid when that scheme is finalised.

Read more

€1,395 support payment for dairy farmers

Pig farmers await clarification on EU income support package

Coveney pledges EU income aid before year end