Advance payment of Single Payment Scheme is great boost for farmers

Áine Collins TD has strongly welcomed the decision by the EU Commission to bring forward the awarding of the Single Payment Scheme (SPS), following representations made to the EU Commission by the Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney TD.

Farmers will now be able to draw down 50% of their SPS from 16^th October instead of having to wait until December as previously intended. The remaining 50% will be paid from December 1^st.

“This is such good news and very welcome for farmers as the Single Payment Scheme forms an increasingly significant part of farmers’ annual income. The news that this payment will be available two months earlier than originally planned will make a big difference for farmers in Cork North West, particularly as this is an area that suffered so badly from the bad weather earlier in the year and last year.

  “Minister Coveney made a strong case to the EU Agriculture Commissioner for the payment to be brought forward and, in doing so, showed himself to be in tune with the challenges that farmers are facing.

“Farmers have had to deal with significant challenges this year including adverse weather conditions during the first half of the year and the advance payment of the Single Payment will be of significant assistance to them as we approach the end of the year.

“In the current economic climate, the Single Payment has become increasingly important, especially considering the difficulties people are having accessing credit. Cash-flow is paramount for farmers, particularly those on low incomes, and the timing of these payments is extremely important. Farmers are more and more reliant on the Single Payment to subsidise the running costs of their farms. Very often the payment constitutes an amount greater than the net farm income.”