Irish farmers will receive over €120 million in cheques over the next few days bringing to €1.255 billion total payments made so far this year.
The latest round of payments are for the EU's 2003 Extensification Premium. Earlier payments were for animal premiums, arable aid and disadvantaged areas compensatory allowances. A total of €470.2 million has been paid out under these schemes. An additional amount of €9.6 million has been paid from the National Envelope for Beef, said the Department of Agriculture and Food.
It said advance payments under the 2003 Suckler Cow Premium, Special Beef Premium and Slaughter Premium Schemes were made at the rate of 80 per cent of full premium. Balancing payments commenced on March 23rd, 2004, and to date nearly all Suckler Cow Premium applicants and Special Beef Premium applicants, and two-thirds of Slaughter Premium applicants, have been paid. The total amount paid to date under these schemes was €656 million.
Next year, farmers will receive one single payment to cover all their entitlements under the recent reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.