“The three-crop rule will not apply for 2018. We have political sign-off at European level on that," the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed said on Tuesday. "What’s being worked through now is the detail on that and that will take a little bit longer."

Last week, Minister Creed sought out a derogation from the European Commission on the rule.

The European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan said that it is the only effective support that can be provided in light of the exceptional levels of rainfall.

Commissioner Hogan agreed to propose a derogation for Ireland to the Commission last Wednesday.

According to a source in DG Agri, engagement at the highest level between the departments has been positive.

“But for those farmers who wanted to get on with their business, and I appreciate that they’re well behind in terms of ground conditions, they needed to know what crops they would have to plant. In the context of the three-crop rule, that won’t apply in 2018," Minister Creed said.

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