The European Commission is considering increasing the maximum amount of aid national governments can give to farmers under the de minimis rule from €15,000 to €25,000 per farmer.

The Department of Agriculture has used the de minimis rule to make emergency funding available outside regular CAP schemes in times of crisis. Examples include the flooding compensation fund for farmers in Donegal and more recently the Fodder Transport Scheme.

“Minister Creed had previously sought an increase in the threshold limits in 2016 as part of the Department’s response to the agricultural markets crisis,” a spokesperson for the Department stated.

“In that context, the Department is pleased to see that an increase in the threshold limits is now being proposed.”

The funding would be provided from the application of a 1.5% tariff on annual agricultural output.

It is hoped that the increase will be introduced this summer, which will be too late to have any bearing on current de minimis schemes.

A public consultation runs until 16 April and the Commission is seeking the opinion of public authorities and stakeholders who have previous experience with de minimis funding.

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