The Department of Agriculture has outlined its schedule for scheme payments as the backend of the year approaches. With livestock sectors under immense pressure, farmers will be watching carefully to see when payments will arrive.

September

An 85% advanced payment under the Area of Natural Constraint (ANC) scheme will begin. Typically more than 75,000 farmers are paid in the first run. Payments under the Knowledge Transfer Programme will be made. Where a farmer has met all the requirements, the payment is €750 for those in one group and €1,250 in a dual group.

October

Farmers’ main payment in the form of Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) advance payments will begin on 16 October. This will be 70% of the total payment.

November

There will be advance payments made for both GLAS and the Sheep Welfare Scheme. Both of these will be 85% of the total payment, an increase on previous years.

December

There will be advance payments for the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) and the Organic Farming Scheme. Payments for those who applied to the €40/calf Beef Environmental Efficiency Pilot (BEEP) and Protein Aid Scheme will be made. The balancing payments for the BPS (30%) and ANC (15%) begin. Payments under the National Reserve and Young Farmer Scheme will be made.

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