25th July, 2012

Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association president, Gabriel Gilmartin said there will be sighs of relief from farmers across the country, as he welcomed the agreement reached in Brussels today which provides for the advance payment of 50% of the Single Farm Payment.  

It means that farmers whose SFP applications have been confirmed fully clear, will receive the advance on October 16th this year, with the balance being paid out on December 1st.  

Mr. Gilmartin said, “Farmers are facing astronomical increases in feed costs for the rest of the year as a result of the bad weather, the full impact of which is yet to be seen.  I am relieved to see that the Minister for Agriculture successfully argued the case for the advance payment.”

He concluded, “it is now vitally important that every effort is made to ensure that direct payments end up in farmers’ accounts as soon as possible.”