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Gildernew announces payment rates for Less Favoured Area Scheme

Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA today announced the rates for the 2011 Less Favoured Area Compensatory Allowances Scheme.
~ Thursday, 11 November 2010

The Minister said: “I have looked very carefully at what we can afford this year and can now confirm that for payments issuing in 2011, the rates will remain at the same high level that we set last year. I hope this will go some way to mitigate the economic pressures affecting farmers in the Less Favoured Areas.”

The payment rates for the 2011 Less Favoured Area Compensatory Allowances (LFACA) Scheme will be £23.81 per hectare for Disadvantaged Areas (DA)/Common Land and £47.62 per hectare for Severely Disadvantaged Areas (SDA).

Turning to the timing of these payments, the Minister added: “It is my intention that these payments will begin to be made in late February 2011, with the majority being paid by the end of March. I know that these payments will provide a welcome boost to both hill farmers and the rural economy.”

Notes to editors:

  1. The LFACA scheme is part of the NI Rural Development Programme (NIRDP) 2007-13. The Department has received some 14,468 applications for the 2011 Scheme for which payments are due to issue on eligible claims in late February/March 2011.The target is for 90% of payments to be made by 31 March 2011.
  2. Applicants may also qualify for a cattle bonus which increases the area based payment for those producers who have 25% or more of their eligible livestock units as suckler cows or heifers.
  3. The rates for the 2011 LFACA scheme remain the same as those for the 2010 LFACA scheme.
  4. All media queries should be directed to the DARD Press Office on 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.