Over 2,121 claims for payment under the Farm Nutrient Management Scheme (FNMS) have been received to date by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD).
Most of these claims have been paid in full or in part with grant paid out to date amounting to £52.935million.
DARD has recently announced the closure procedures for the Scheme. Full details of these procedures have been sent to all applicants who have had grant approved but have not yet submitted claims. It is critical that farmers read these letters carefully and submit their grant claims by the 31December 2008 deadline.
The Department thanks those farmers who participated in its recent telephone surveys. These surveys have helped update the Department’s figures about work in progress under the scheme.
Notes to Editors:
- The Farm Nutrient Management Scheme (FNMS) is a key measure to improve water quality in Northern Ireland. It provides financial assistance to farmers towards the cost of additional slurry and manure storage facilities.
- The Nitrates Directive Action Programme Regulations require livestock farms to have a minimum of 22 weeks slurry storage capacity. Pig and poultry farms require 26 weeks storage capacity. Many farms are making significant investment to meet this requirement.
- All claims must be received by the Department by 31 December 2008.
- On receipt of a valid claim, the Department aims to pay full claims within 12 weeks and, where requested, part payments within 4 weeks.
- All claims must be paid by 31 December 2009.
- All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, tel: 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.
