Written answers

Tuesday, 17 November 2015

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Data

Photo of Michael FitzmauriceMichael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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304. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers' payments under the areas of natural constraint scheme and the basic payments scheme that have been delayed since the payment commencement dates in September and October 2015 for reasons other than stock density queries; of these farmers whose payments have been delayed, the number the Department has notified in accordance with the farmer's charter, which the Department agreed and published in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40648/15]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In relation to the BPS and Greening Payment, I am pleased to confirm that advance payments began issuing in Ireland on 16 October 2015.   This is the earliest that payments can commence under the governing EU Regulations.  In addition, I can confirm that the level of the advance payment was set at 70% for 2015 rather than the normal 50%.  To date, payments worth over €714 million have issued to 112,787 herd owners. The total number of herd owners who currently have entitlements allocated and who have applied for the scheme is 120,804.

I am also pleased to confirm that payments under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme commenced, on schedule, on 23 September 2015.  There are no advance payments under this scheme. To date, payments worth €176.5 million have issued to 82,867 herd owners. The total number of herd owners who have applied under the Areas of Natural Constraints scheme and who have eligible lands is 102,385. Many of the outstanding ANC cases currently do not comply with the stocking densities/holding requirements set out in the Scheme and will not do so until the New Year and therefore cannot be paid at this time.

Work is continuing in my Department to prioritise the processing of outstanding cases for payment under the Basic Payment, Greening and Areas of Natural Constraints schemes. Some 13,730 query letters have issued to BPS applicants since processing began and cases continue to be cleared as correspondence is replied to. A total of 5,970 of these queries also include land errors related to applications under the Areas of Natural Constraints scheme.

Regular pay runs are in place to pay applicants as cases are cleared for payment. Balancing payments under the Basic Payments Scheme are due to commence on 1 December. Ireland is among the earliest Member States to pay farmers under these two new Schemes and the numbers paid to date are in conformity with the targets set down in the Farmers’ Charter.

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