The NI share of the €420m aid package for dairy farmers announced in September began to issue at the start of this week, two weeks earlier than anticipated. In total, £5.1m of aid is being paid out, which equates to just under 0.226p per litre and based on 2014/’15 milk production figures.

The money is being administered by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) on behalf of DARD.

Making the announcement, Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill said that the initial tranche of payments has been made to those dairy farmers for whom the RPA has up-to-date banking details. Around £3.6m is due to be paid immediately to 2,250 farmers in NI (71% of dairy farmers). The aim is to have all payments made by the end of the year.

The Minister has encouraged all eligible recipients to ensure that the Department has the most up-to-date information available.