Gildernew announces 2009 Single Farm Payment timetable

Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA has announced the targets for 2009 Single Farm Payments.

Outlining the timetable, the Minister said: "We will begin to make Single Farm Payments during December and most farmers will receive payments before Christmas. I recognise the current financial difficulties that many people are experiencing in the current economic climate and these payments will be a significant boost to our local farmers at this time. Additionally, the improving exchange rate means that farmers will get a substantial benefit from the stronger Euro.

"We are aiming to make 83% of payments by the end of December and 90% by the end of January.”

The Minister also explained that EU rules permit DARD to make payments only when eligibility has been fully established and that this means that not all claims can be paid immediately. The Minister said: "My Department is required to carry out administrative and on-farm checks to verify claims before a payment can be processed. Many of the remaining cases require complex assessments which take longer to complete.

“For example, this year’s inspection process identified a need for many map changes because of boundary changes and other changes that reduce the area eligible for payment, such as, encroachment of scrub and buildings into eligible land. In many cases, the changes need to be applied to previous year’s claims before the 2009 payment position can be calculated. This means that payments in inspection cases take longer to process and, in some cases, may result in penalties being imposed. I can assure farmers, however, that all possible steps are being taken to ensure that all cases are paid the correct amounts at the earliest possible date."

In conclusion the Minister said: "We would also like to take the opportunity to remind farmers not to phone Orchard House unless it is absolutely necessary. This will let as many of my staff as possible work on getting payments out in December instead of taking time out to investigate when specific payments might be made. If a call to Orchard House is unavoidable, I would appeal to callers to be patient, as phone lines are likely to be busy at peak periods."

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 not 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 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.