The start of the 70% advance of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) will benefit over 7,400 farmers in Donegal, Fine Gael TD for Donegal Joe McHugh has said.
Over €700 million to 111,000 farmers will now be sent out to farmers across the country with €33,889,000 paid out locally.
Minister McHugh said: “This advance payment is a welcome for farmers here in Donegal and the payments should start hitting bank account in the coming days.
“My Fine Gael colleague Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed also confirmed to me that the level of the advance payment is set at 70% for this year rather than 50% as provided for in the EU legislation.
“These payments will benefit 7,492f armers here in Donegal and will have positive knock on effects to our rural communities as a whole.
“The remaining 30% and other BPS-related payments such as Young Farmer Scheme and National Reserve top-ups will be paid in December.
“The Agriculture and Food sector is a strategic priority for Fine Gael. We recognise that farm families are the heartbeat of the rural economy and our vision for the sector will inspire the next generation to continue the tradition of family farming,” Minister McHugh added.
Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed added that “the advance BPS payment and the ANC payments taken together mean that over €880 million has now issued to Irish farmers in the last month. These payments provide a significant financial boost for individual farmers and the wider rural economy.
“I was delighted to secure an increase in the ANC scheme allocation for 2018. This €25 million increase will provide direct financial support to farmers in the most marginal areas of the Country.”
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