Some 224 farmers across the country lost almost all their BPS payment last year as a result of penalties.

The highest proportion of farmers hit with a 90% penalty was in Cork, where 26 farmers were penalised.

Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy was given the information in a parliamentary question he put to Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed.

Some 122,846 farmers received a BPS payment last year and 5.2% were penalised to some degree for not complying with scheme regulations.

Every year, up to 5% of farmers are inspected. This year, the Department stated it will notify farmers of an inspection in order to ensure compliance with COVID-19 restrictions.

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