Commonage farmers will receive their 2016 GLAS payments within the next six weeks, along with all other GLAS farmers.

Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has confirmed that his Department is putting arrangements in place to ensure the submission of Commonage Management Plans (CMP) in the next round of GLAS payments.

The minister also said the process will ensure that payments for CMPs will now be issued at the same time as all other GLAS participants receive payment later this year.

Pat Dunne, IFA hill committee chair, welcomed the announcement by Minister Creed and criticised the Government for earlier delays involving the online IT system for submitting CMPs.

INHFA CAP chair Colm O’Donnell said the interim arrangements will allow for the inclusion of GLAS III participants, which O’Donnell stated “is something we called for last week and will be vital when planners come to finalising these plans”.