merrion street

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue TD, today announced the commencement of payments of over €21.7 million to approximately 100,000 farmers.

This money was deducted from  2020 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments under Financial Discipline and is now being reimbursed to farmers in line with the EU regulations.

Minister McConalogue stated, "I am pleased to confirm that these payments are now being reimbursed to eligible farmers. These payments will bring the total paid to Irish farmers under the 2020 Basic Payment Scheme to over €1.183 billion."

Notes to the Editor:

• The financial discipline mechanism is part of the annual budgetary procedure of the European Union.
• The financial discipline mechanism involves a monetary deduction (2.9% for the 2020 reduction) from some direct payments for the provision of a financial Crisis Reserve for the European Union.
• The Crisis Reserve is intended to provide additional support for the agricultural sector in the case of major crises affecting agricultural production or distribution.
• If the Crisis Reserve is not activated in the financial year, or it is not fully utilised, the unused balance is refunded to farmers in the subsequent financial year.

ENDS

Press and Information Office

An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An Teach Talmhaíochta, Sráid Chill Dara, Baile Átha Cliath 2, D02 WK12

Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2, D02 WK12

T +353 (0)1 607 2802

gov.ie - Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (www.gov.ie)