02/12/2020

NI Farmers To Benefit From £3.6m In EC Funding

Northern Ireland farmers are set to receive a total of £3.6million in reimbursement payments from the European Commission, Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots has announced.

The financial discipline mechanism was created to ensure that Direct Payments do not exceed the EU budget limit. Due to the creation of an EU Crisis Reserve, the financial discipline mechanism is triggered each year. Member States are required by European Commission Regulations to apply a percentage reduction to Direct Payments over €2,000 which is then released back to farmers the following year, if that reserve is not required.

Welcoming the reimbursement, Minister Poots said: "Approximately 21,000 farmers in Northern Ireland will receive Financial Discipline Reimbursement payments this week. This is money our farmers are entitled to and would normally be paid in December each year when balance payments are being issued. As confirmation has now been received from the European Commission on the UK reimbursement, I have authorised these further payments to commence.

"As we are leaving the EU it will mean there will no longer be a Financial Discipline applied in advance and therefore farmers will receive their full entitlement each year and no refund will be required the following year."

Payments will issue on 01 December and reach farmers' bank accounts within five working days. Payment letters will issue by post but can also be viewed online immediately at DAERA Online Services.

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

05 February 2020
Govt Commits To Almost £300m Funding For Farmers
Local farmers are to share in Direct Payments worth £293 million this year, the Department for Agriculture has confirmed. Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots announced the funding during a visit to Ballymena Mart on Tuesday, setting out his aims to make full payments from 16 October 2020. It follows the necessary legislation in Parliament.
20 November 2008
Farmers In Line For Early Single Farm Payments
Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew has announced that 82% of 2008 Single Farm Payments will be paid next month. The Minister (pictured) said that the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s aims to complete 80% of payments before Christmas, 82% by the end of December and 87% by the end of January 2009.
17 December 2018
EX USPCA Chief Handed Suspended Sentence
A former chief executive of the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA), a prominent animal charity in Northern Ireland, has avoided a prison sentence after being found guilty of fraud.
17 September 2003
Over 60's urged to claim £200 winter fuel payment
Social Development Minister, John Spellar, has urged Northern Ireland's over 60’s to ensure they claim their Winter Fuel Payment in time for Christmas. Last year, more than 250,000 people benefited from the £200 payment in Northern Ireland. The Minister said: “Most people who qualify for this money will receive it automatically.
13 May 2022
Farming Direct Payments To Be Made On 01 September
Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Edwin Poots, has announced that Direct Payments will be made on 1 September in full this year only, to help farmers with cash-flow issues caused by market disturbances. Minister Poots made the announcement at the 153rd Balmoral Show at the Eikon Centre in Lisburn.