ANC farmers to get €11.5 million

FARMERS in tough ground have received €11.5 million in payments for this year in funding that was widely welcomed this week.

Payments under the 2016 Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme - made to farmers working in land categorised as ‘mountain areas, severely handicapped and less-severely handicapped areas’ - total €11,535,550.96 in Kerry alone of a nationwide fund worth €140 million.

The payments have now started issuing, Kerry Fine Gael TD Brendan Griffin said this week, welcoming the level of funding made available this year.

“My colleague, Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, today announced that payments under the 2016 Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme and Areas of Specific Constraint (Islands) scheme, worth over €140 million, have started issuing to almost 65,000 farmers,” Deputy Griffin said.

“Under the scheme, farmers in Kerry have received €11,535,550.96 in payments.”

He said that the Department is also to now prioritise remaining cases for immediate payment:

“These payments represent a significant and timely financial boost for farmers in Kerry and for the wider rural economy here.

“The Department of Agriculture will continue to clear remaining cases for payment over the coming weeks as a matter of priority.

The areas that are designated ANC are the same as those designated under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme with the exception of land situated on offshore islands. In the meantime, there is no change to the areas which cover approximately 75% of the country.

Photo by Ann McNamee Vincent & Shane O’Connell accepting on behalf of Donal the Dairymaster Perpetual cup for overall champion cow at the Kerry Holstein Frieisan Breeders club herds competition. (l-r) Club President Maurice Harty, Vincent & Shane O’Connell and Pat Ryan...