The Department of Agriculture has sought a derogation to make advance payments of up to 70% for direct payments, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has said.

In response to a parliamentary question this week, Minister Creed said: “Cognisant of the extreme weather conditions this year, my Department has recently submitted an application to the Commission seeking a derogation to make advance payments of up to 70% for direct payments and of up to 85% for support granted under rural development.”

Under EU law, member states may, prior to 1 December but not before 16 October, pay advances of up to 50% for direct payments and of up to 75% for support granted under rural development but under Article 75(3) the Commission may derogate from these provisions in the event of an emergency.