Balancing payments under the 2020 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening have now commenced, Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has confirmed.

The BPS balancing payments will bring the total paid under the 2020 scheme to €1.13bn to over 121,000 farmers.

The Minister also confirmed that payments under the 2020 National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme will also commence on Tuesday.

Support farmers

In mid-October the Department began issuing 70% advance payments under the BPS to farmers. This year saw over 97% of eligible farmers receiving an advance payment in the first pay run.

Minister McConalogue said: “My priority is to ensure that payments to support our farm families across the country are issued promptly. I am acutely aware of the importance the BPS not only to farmers, but also to the overall rural economy.

“I am pleased that payments under the National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme are also being issued as both payments play really important roles in supporting younger farmers and new entrants.”

Queries

Regular pay runs will remain in place under the 2020 BPS as further cases are cleared for payment.

The Minister urged any farmers who have outstanding queries from the Department to respond as soon as possible in order to facilitate payment.

Farmers wishing to contact the Department regarding their BPS or ANC payments, can ring the Direct Payments Helpline at 076 106 4420.

Queries may also be submitted online, where a detailed breakdown of payments can also be accessed.

Balancing payments under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme are scheduled to commence next week.

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