Fine Gael Limerick TD, Patrick O’ Donovan has welcomed the advance payment of 4,739 to farmers in Limerick as part of the Single Farm Payment (SFP) scheme. The payments have been brought forward from December to October following representations made by Minister Coveney to the EU Commission on the basis of the difficulties being faced by farmers as a result of the poor summer weather.
Over €545 million has so far been paid to farmers nationally through the Single Farm Payment. The balance of the payments will be made from 1st December. €1.3 billion will be paid out in total this year under the scheme”.
“Farmers will be glad to know that payments under the SFP scheme have started issuing directly into their bank accounts this week. Cash-flow is a critical issue for farmers, particularly those on low incomes, and the timing of these payments is extremely important for farmers and for the rural economy”.
“Following representations made by Minister Coveney at European level the payments have been brought forward from December to October in recognition of the difficulties that farmers have faced as a result of the very wet weather this summer.
Patrick O’ Donovan added “I attended the meeting in Mallow organised to discuss the future of the Common Agricultural Policy, and it was clear to all in attendance that the Minister for Agriculture has a deep understanding and commitment to the Irish Food Industry. I have no doubt but that he is the best person to lead the negotiations on CAP for Irish Farmers.”
Separately Patrick O’ Donovan has again raised the issue of slurry storage and spreading and has asked that the time frame for spreading be again extended to take account of recent bad weather. It is understood that a request has been made by Ireland to the EU.