IFA rural development chair Joe Brady said the additional €25m secured by the IFA in last year’s budget for ANCs will kick in when payments begin to 95,000 farmers from the week beginning 17 September. It is important that the maximum number of farmers are paid out in the first week.

“This increase will bring the total allocation for ANCs in 2018 to €228m. The increase will be a significant and timely boost to farm income in this most difficult year because of the weather conditions. At a meeting with the Department this week, it was confirmed that the new rates would apply. The European Commission had earlier informed the IFA that this would be part of an amendment to Ireland’s Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020.”

The new rates of payments are;

  • Mountain grazing: extra €13m benefiting 32,000 farmers fully or partly.
  • – First 10ha: €135/ha.

    – Next 24ha: €112/ha.

    – Maximum €4,038 (was €3,390).

  • More severely handicapped: extra €9m benefiting 59,000 farmers fully or partly.
  • – €104/ha on first 30ha.

    – Maximum payment €3,120 (was €2,879).

  • Less severely handicapped: extra €3m benefiting 23,500 farmers fully or partly.
  • – €88.25/ha on first 30ha.

    – Maximum payment €2,647.50 (was €2,468).

    One of the key measures in the IFA drought action plan was the early payment to farmers in September and this has also been approved by the European Commission.

    In relation to the ANC area review which will apply from next year, Brady said that the IFA will be insisting that Minister Creed protects all areas, that additional funding is provided to bring the allocation to €300m and the new payment rates reflect the natural handicap.