Press release
Minister McConalogue announces issuing of Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme balancing payments
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, announced payments under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme have commenced issuing to farmers.
The Minister commented:
“The ANC scheme is an important support for farmers in many regions of the country and the issue of these balancing payments on time reflects the recognition by the government of this. The total paid to date under the 2023 ANC scheme amounts to some €238 million paid to 95,000 farmers. This is in line with the numbers paid in 2022. Payments commencing today is a significant milestone achieved and is in line with the date notified to farmers in recent weeks and last March.”
The Minister further commented:
“The timely processing of scheme payments remains a key priority for me and my department. I know how crucial payments are, especially at this time of year. Payments will be visible in farmers’ bank accounts in the coming days and my department will continue to process, as a matter of urgency, all remaining cases for payment as they meet scheme criteria.”
He continued:
“I have also given the commitment through the Farmer’s Charter that payments in 2024 will return to the traditional date of the third week of September, which is the week of the Ploughing Championships."
The Minister also confirmed that arrangements are being made by his department to facilitate payment of the balancing under the Basic Income Support for Sustainability Scheme (BISS) from 4 December 2023.
The EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP) is a partnership between society and agriculture that ensures a stable supply of food, safeguards farmers’ income, protects the environment and keeps rural areas vibrant. EU countries implement the CAP at national level with a tailored CAP Strategic Plan for the period 2023-2027.
In line with previous years, not all applications are currently cleared for payment under the ANC Scheme. Farmers should submit any outstanding evidence in support of their application to the department’s Portlaoise Office as soon as possible to facilitate the release of payments.
Payments may take up to 5 days to reach farmers' accounts.