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Over €160m is being paid to more than 75,000 farmers in this tranche of the ANC scheme, with the first transfers hitting farmers' bank accounts this week, Minister Creed said.
He added that this was an increase on the €140m paid to 65,000 farmers in the first tranche last year.
"The increased uptake on online applications under the 2017 ANC and BPS schemes continues to bring benefits for farmers and my Department in terms of more efficient processing of applications," the minister said.
The remaining farmers have yet to satisfy the annual average stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare this year, and have until 31 December to do so. Farmers are advised to submit any outstanding stocking evidence in support of their application to the Department’s Portlaoise Office as soon as possible to facilitate the early release of payments.
"The ANC Scheme is an important support for farmers in many regions of the county, and I am delighted to announce that payments have now started to issue. My Department will continue to process remaining cases for payment as a matter of urgency over the coming weeks," Minister Creed said.
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