Some 13,000 farmers have yet to receive their ANC payment for 2018. Payments have been received by 82,000 out of the 96,000 farmers in the scheme. Of the total funding of €228m, almost €198m has been issued.

Three weeks ago, payments worth nearly €186m were issued to 77,000 farmers.

The Department of Agriculture has said the majority of ANC payments yet to be issued were either subject to inspection or had yet to meet the required annual stocking rate.

In a statement to the Irish Farmers Journal, the Department of Agriculture said of those farmers not issued payments, many had yet to satisfy the annual 0.15LU average stocking density.

These farmers have until 31 December to meet the requirement.

In addition, under EU regulations, land eligibility inspections are required on 5% of applicants.

The approximately 4,750 farmers selected for inspection were selected both on a risk and random basis.

The Department said the processing of these cases was currently ongoing.

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