The Department of Agriculture has issued almost €1.7bn in payments so far this year.

As the end of 2019 approaches, farmers across numerous schemes should have received a large quantity of their payments. The vast bulk of money has been issued under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) with 122,459 farmers receiving €1.15bn.

Of those farmers eligible for payment just 1,416 are yet to be paid. A further €17.4m and €2.1m has been paid out under the Young Farmer Scheme (YFS) and the National Reserve, respectively.

Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) payments were the next most significant for farmers. With balancing payments made, €238.6m has now been received by 94,919 farmers.

The Department’s next biggest scheme, GLAS, has seen 44,385 farmers receive their advance payment, representing 91.3% of all eligible applicants. These farmers have received €159.1m with balancing payments due in 2020.

Beef

A number of payments have been made to beef farmers. Under the flagship Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) over €34m has been paid out to 18,969 farmers.

As part of the Department’s response to the ongoing difficulties for beef farmers, the Beef Environmental Efficiency Pilot (BEEP) and Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) were introduced.

While there was €100m up for grabs under BEAM, 32,444 farmers applied and have received €75.18m. Under the smaller €20m BEEP, €15.4m was drawn down by 16,529 suckler farmers.

Sheep

There have also been payments made to farmers in smaller schemes. Almost 18,500 sheep farmers have received €14.9m from the Sheep Welfare Scheme (SWS) with a 15% balancing payment due in 2020.

The final round of payments under the Knowledge Transfer Programme (KTP), which ended in July 2019, have been issued. Over 17,000 farmers have received €10.9m while €4.8m has been paid to advisors.

For tillage farmers involved in the protein aid scheme, €2.78m has been paid to 725 farmers.

Read more

INHFA blasts Minister Creed for intended pause in convergence

Department seeks additional €32m for farm schemes