Farmers benefit from almost £260 million worth of Single Farm Payments so far this year - Gildernew

Minister Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA has announced that £259.5million was paid out to local farmers in Single Farm Payments during December 2009 and January 2010.

The aim was to make 83% of payments by the end of December and 90% by the end of January 2010.The final figures show that 84.6% of farmers received their payment by 31 December and 91% by the end of January.

Discussing progress to date on 09/10 single farm payments, the Minister said: “In these challenging times for everyone we have been able to pay more farmers at an earlier stage than ever before. Over the past two months more than £259.5million has been paid out.”

The Minister explained that further targets have been set for the next two months: “All possible steps are being taken to ensure that all the remaining cases are paid the correct amounts at the earliest possible date. We aim to complete 94% of claims by the end of February and 96% by the end of March.”

Commenting on the claims not yet finalised the Minister said: “The Commission rules require us to carry out administrative and on- farm checks to verify claims before a payment can be made. Many of the remaining cases require complex calculations to take account of mapping changes and reductions in the land area eligible for payment. This can be due to issues such as encroachment of scrub and buildings, which were identified at an on-farm inspection and means that payments in inspection cases can take longer to process. In some cases, these discrepancies may result in penalties being imposed. However, good progress is being made and a significant number of inspection cases have already been paid.”

Explaining that farmers can help to avoid delays in their payments the Minister said: “Farmers can also do their bit to reduce delays by making sure that their maps are accurate and up to date and by making sure they don’t claim on ineligible land. I can’t stress enough how important it is that farmers tell us about changes. It is not in our interest to spend time adjusting claims nor is it in the farmer’s interest to have their payments delayed and, in many cases, penalties applied.”

A payment may not be due in all of the cases not yet finalised because of ineligibility or the application of penalties under scheme rules.

Notes to editors:

1. 2009 Single Farm Payments (SFP) will be paid using the exchange rate of €1 = £0.90930.
2. Farmers will receive a payment advice a few days in advance of their payment being paid into their bank account detailing how their SFP has been calculated.
3. All media enquiries to the DARD Press Office on 028 90 524619. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.