Officials in DAERA are continuing to assess potential options for an aid scheme for farmers in the northwest who were affected by floods in August last year.

“This is so that we are in a position to present an incoming minister with the evidence regarding the need for a scheme and options for what that scheme might look like,” a DAERA spokesperson confirmed.

However, the spokesperson maintained that a business case for a potential aid package cannot be signed off without a minister in place at Stormont.

“In the absence of a minister and executive, the ability of the department to progress any further option is limited,” the DAERA spokesperson added.

This compares to the situation in Donegal, where payments are being made to the 314 farmers that applied to the Flood Compensation Scheme that is being administered by the Department of Agriculture there.

The scheme was announced in September and payments have averaged around €2,000 per farm business, with payments capped at €15,000 per farm under EU de-minimus state aid rules.

Ineligible land

In September, 223 farm businesses in NI submitted force majeure forms, which indicated that 1,080ha of land had become ineligible for area based payment due to August’s floods.

Markethill Mart raises £60,000 for children’s charity

Markethill Livestock Mart raised £60,000 for the Children’s Heartbeat Trust NI at its Christmas show and sale at the end of November.

Several farmers kindly donated livestock to be auctioned with a heifer raising £3,600 for the chosen charity.

A pen of six ewe lambs raised £900.

The mart would like to express their gratitude to all donors and customers who made the event a success.