Advance payments for the two main agri-environment schemes, GLAS and AEOS, will begin this week.

The payments will be worth almost €100m and will be welcomed by the many farmers who are struggling to meet the fodder demands of their livestock.

Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed said: “I am pleased that we are meeting our commitment to commence advance payments for these schemes.

“These payments come on top of an excellent few weeks for payments, including allocations under the Basic Payment Scheme, Areas of Natural Constraint and Sheep Welfare schemes.

“At this stage, over €1bn has issued to Irish farmers in recent weeks.”

The advance payment represents 85% of the full payment this year, after Minister Creed secured an increase in the advance payment from the European Commission.

Payment holdups

However, the minister added that there is a significant number of outstanding Nutrient Management Plans, Commonage Management Plans, annual low emission slurry spreading declaration forms and rare breed declaration forms.

The delay in the completion of these forms holds up farm payments, but the minister said GLAS payments would continue on the understanding that farm paperwork was up to date.

Farmers can expect a pre-Christmas boost from the Department of Agriculture when it pays the 30% remainder of the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme and greening payment in the coming days. The 70% advance payment of €700m to farmers began in October.

Payments under the 2017 National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme are also expected to flow in the coming days.

7,500 farmers unpaid

Latest figures from the Department show that 118,623 farmers have been issued their 70% advance payment, amounting to €772.9m. However, that still leaves around 7,500 farmers unpaid to date.

Total payments of €190.8m have been made to 88,373 farmers under the Areas of Natural Constraint and Areas of Specific Constraint schemes.

In the past week, 20,515 sheep farmers have received €15.8 under the Sheep Welfare Scheme.

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