Officials in DAERA are to consider whether area-based payments can be issued early this year in a bid to help address cashflow pressures on NI farms.

Speaking at Balmoral Show on Wednesday, Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots confirmed that Department staff have been asked to draw up options on how money could be released before the usual mid-October payment period.

“I have asked for a paper on it. Hopefully I will have that very soon so we will be able to know what to do with the Single Farm Payment,” he said.

Instalments

It follows a similar move being announced for farmers in England, where basic payments will be issued in two instalments this year. Eligible applicants will receive the first payment worth 50% of claims from the end of July and the second half will be issued December.

“It will give farmers some additional cashflow earlier in order to provide some confidence,” said Environment Secretary George Eustice.

“We will also make this a permanent change to the way we pay basic payments in future with twice yearly instalments going forward.”

Fodder

Elsewhere, a new €55m scheme is being rolled out in the Republic of Ireland to help avoid a shortage of fodder this winter. Beef and sheep farmers will be paid €100 per hectare to grow silage or hay, up to a maximum payment of €1,000 per farm.

The lack of an Executive at Stormont is likely to make it difficult for new money to reach NI farmers as they continue to face unprecedented input costs.

However, Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots was keen to point out at Balmoral Show that his department are assessing other potential policies which could alleviate some of the financial pressure on local farmers.

For example, he confirmed nitrates rules are being reviewed by his officials. In particular, flexibility around nitrogen loading limits could allow farmers to make better use of livestock manure if it removed the need for the likes of slurry and poultry litter to be moved off farm.

Figures from DAERA indicate that around 1,600 farmers in NI submit records of livestock manure exports each year to allow them to operate under nitrogen limits.

“The department are looking at how the nitrates directive is implemented and what potential there is for better management and use of organic fertiliser,” Minister Poots said.

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