Balancing payments under year 3 of the Sheep Welfare Scheme have commenced, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, has confirmed today (Friday, May 15th).
He stated that the payment, which amounts to €1.82M, is a welcome financial support at this time when farmers are “facing challenging circumstances”.
Minister Creed stated: “I am happy to confirm that the issuing of the 15% balancing payments under the Sheep Welfare Scheme has now commenced.:
€16m to some 18,500 farmers
The commencement of the balancing payments brings the total paid under year 3 of the Sheep Welfare Scheme to €16 million to some 18,500 farmers.
The Minister concluded by urging farmers with outstanding queries to respond to the Department immediately in order to facilitate payment.
Payments will continue to issue on an ongoing basis as eligibility is confirmed for farmers with outstanding queries, the Department stated.
The scheme is co-funded by the European Union as part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme, 2014-2020.