Farmers in Galway are to receive over €56 million under the 2020 Basic Payment Scheme.
The scheme announced by Minister of Agriculture Charlie McConalogue last week will see payments of €781 million made to 118,000 Irish farmers this year.
Galway East TD Sean Canney welcomed the announcement of this “vital support”, saying the payments are essential “maximising income and cashflow” during a challenging year for farmers.
“It is vital to have an efficient issuing of scheme payments to farmers,” the Independent TD said.
“The BPS advance payment is commencing today at the earliest date possible under EU Regulations. The payment is set at a rate of 70%, which is an increase on the 50% normally allowed under regulation.”
This year has seen an additional €34 million in advance payments made, representing earlier payments to an additional 3,500 farmers compared with 2019.
Minister McConalogue said that approximately 97% of applicants to the 2020 Basic Payment Scheme will he receiving their payments at the earliest possible date.
“Given the central importance of the many schemes currently in place, my Department has recently written to all farmers outlining the payment schedule over the coming months for these schemes,” the Minister said.
