£140 Million Of Single Farm Payments Will Be Paid in December
NORTHERN IRELAND - Agriculture Minister, David Cairns, has announced that the majority of farmers will receive their Single Farm Payment by 22 December 2006.
Announcing the payment timetable, the Minister advised that at least 40 % of farm businesses will receive a full payment by 8 December 2006, 65% by 15 December 2006, 70 - 75 % by 31 December 2006 and 75- 80% by 31 January 2007.
The Minister said: "The majority of farmers will receive their full Single Farm Payment worth a total of around £140 million in December. The Department has set itself demanding targets which are higher than those which were set last year."
The Minister noted that the EU rules allow payments to be made only where eligibility has been established, meaning that not all claims can be paid immediately. He said: "Significant progress continues to be made on sorting out queries and completing all the checks required under the EU rules. The Department is taking all possible steps to ensure that all eligible claims will be paid at the earliest possible date."
Where there are remaining queries on claims or on-farm inspections to be completed DARD will be following these up with the farmers concerned. To enable the Department to maximise the number of payments during December, farmers are asked to phone Orchard House only if absolutely necessary. Callers should bear in mind that phone lines may be busy at peak periods.
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