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Taking part in the council of EU agriculture ministers in Brussels, Commissioner Hogan said he was allowing countries to pay a larger October BPS advance to farmers. "Seventy percent payments now can be brought forward to October for pillar 1, and 85% for pillar 2, like we did last year," he said.
Ireland was among the countries asking the European Commission permission to deliver a 70% October BPS payment in recent days and this is now expected to go ahead.
"We have invoked, certainly to help cashflow for our farmers, the opportunity to advance payments to help farmers to be able to buy feed and overcome some unforeseen production expenses that they would have at this time of the year due to the weather," he said.
Commisioner Hogan also lifted greening restrictions on land lying fallow under crop diversification and ecological focus area rules, allowing grazing and fodder production on this land for 2018. In addition, individual member states can help farmers within the constraints of EU state aid rules, he added.
Mercosur stalled
Despite Mercosur talks taking place this week, there will be no deal, Commissioner Hogan also said.
"Clearly, we're not satisfied with the progress that's being made, so there will be no deal this week," he said.
He listed access to the South American bloc for EU-made cars and car parts, as well as some agricultural issues, including dairy among sticking points, but did not mention beef.
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