Over £300m in direct payments issued to NI farmers

THE issuing of more than £300m in direct payments to farm businesses across the North has been welcomed this week, amid concerns for the future of farm support.

West Tyrone MLA, Declan McAleer, said the Single Farm Payment was essential for the survival of many farm businesses, accounting for around 90 per-cent of farm income.

Mr McAleer, who is chairman of Stormont’s Agriculture Committee, said, “Whilst I welcome the allocating of over £300 million this week, I have serious concern for future years and whether the British government will honour this financial support, now that we are out of the EU.

“The fact that there has been no progress on the ‘UK Shared Prosperity Fund’ which was supposed to replace the lost EU funding, has done little to inspire confidence.”

Mr McAleer said that local Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots published a future framework document in August, outlining a vision for a new agriculture policy based around the broad themes of productivity, environmental sustainability, improved resilience and a responsive supply chain.

He said, “However, Mr Poots needs to move swiftly to publish his policy proposals so that farmers can give their views on what these will mean for their businesses.

“I have met many farmers in recent weeks who have so many unanswered questions about the future of their entitlements and the shape of future farm support measures and this uncertainty makes it incredibly difficult to plan ahead.”

The Department of Agriculture announced that, on Monday, payments issued to 23,393 farmers or 98 per-cent of eligible applicants.

According to the department, this is the largest amount ever paid out to farmers on day one of the payment window and includes 91 per-cent of farm businesses selected for inspection in 2021.

Mr Poots added, “As a result of exiting the EU this is the second year the Department has been able to issue payments in one go, which in turn has represented the largest amount ever issued by my Department on the first day of payments.

“As I announced at the Balmoral Show, payments have been increased by 6.29 per-cent this year to ensure that all funding ring-fenced for this purpose is used.”