Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Michelle McIlveen today announced that advance payments will be issued to 80% of eligible farm businesses.
Miss McIlveen confirmed that her Department remains on track to issue the advance payments from Monday 17 October until Friday 21 October.
She said: “I am pleased to announce this ambitious target for the delivery of advance payments to our farmers. We are breaking new ground as we are the first region of the United Kingdom to deliver advance payments.
“Growing our farming industry is a priority for me. However, I am aware of the challenges ahead and recognise the importance of scheme payments to farm incomes.
“That is why I am determined to make advance payments to 80% of eligible farmers with full payments being made to 95% of eligible applicants by the end of the year.”
The Minister also confirmed that the 2016 Young Farmers’ Payment will be paid at the rate of €60.53 per hectare up to a limit of 90 hectares per business.
“A scaleback of 0.40% will be applied to all Basic Payment Scheme entitlements in order to fund the Regional Reserve.”
