Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill today moved to reassure farmers that they will receive their subsidy payments for this year.
She said: “I want to reassure farmers that their subsidy payments are safe. The application window closed last Friday, and there is now a firm contractual obligation on Government to make these payments to farmers. I will be writing to Executive colleagues accordingly, to ensure our obligations are honoured.
“Funding for these payments comes ultimately from the European Commission. The payments generate a receipt for my Department, and we usually draw down this funding just ahead of making the payment. I do not see this process being obstructed.”
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