Just over 600 farmers in Co Louth will start to receive payments under the Disadvantaged Area Scheme this week, according to local Fianna Fáil Cllr James Carroll.

“Over €1 million will be paid to Louth farmers under the Scheme.”

“The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith TD, has confirmed to me that the Disadvantaged Area Payments will start this week.”

“The Scheme is worth in the region of €220 million to more than 100,000 farmers across the country.”

“Payments in the region of €800 million will also start to be issued under the 2009 Single Payment Scheme on October 16, a full six weeks earlier than is provided for under the rules of the Scheme.”

“As well as earlier payments, the level set for the amount of the advance payable is an unprecedented 70 per cent.”

“Agreement for the advance payment was negotiated Minister Smith with his colleagues in the EU in order to facilitate farmers cash-flow difficulties following the bad weather this summer, as well as other factors.”

“The 30 per cent balancing payments will begin to be issued from the start of December.”

“Any farmers who have received correspondence from the Department of Agriculture should respond to any outstanding issues as soon as possible because their applications cannot be cleared until all issues are resolved,” concluded Cllr Carroll.

ENDS