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Farmers are likely to see no change to their 2018 Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) payments.
ANC, which is the new name for the Disadvantaged Area Scheme, is subject to a European-wide review which was expected to be completed in time for next year’s payments. However, there is a growing expectation that there will be no review completed in time for next year and payments, in their current form, will be rolled over until 2019.
The Department of Agriculture has been engaging with Europe on the matter and hopes are growing that through further negotiations with the European Parliament, Commission and Council that it can be deferred again.
It had been anticipated that the new ANC scheme would be in place for next year.
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