Thousands of farmers in Galway still await payments

OVER 1,000 farmers in Co. Galway are still waiting for the first round of their BPS (Basic Payments Scheme) money, according to figures provided to Fianna Fail Agricultural Spokesman, Éamon Ó Cuív by the Dept. of Agriculture.

In 2015, there were 11,502 BPS valid applications in Galway but up to this week only 10,403 were paid out – leaving 1,099 still waiting for their cheques.

The situation as regards BPS is roughly similar in Mayo where 1,071 farmers are still waiting for their payments, already over five weeks behind schedule.

The payments backlog is significantly worse in relation to ANC (Areas of Natural Constraint or the old ‘headage’) payments with 2,382 farmers in Galway still awaiting payment.

There were 11,994 valid ANC applications in Galway for 2015 but only 9,612 have been paid out – in Mayo, 2,441 farmers are still waiting for their ANC payment.

Deputy Ó Cuív told the Farming Tribune that the farmers who hadn’t been paid their money so far this autumn were on some of the worst land in the country and were in the lower income strata.

“Those people badly need their cheques. They are really dependent on getting this money and I am calling on the Department to move immediately to clear those payments,” said Deputy Ó Cuív.

He said that if anything, the situation was worse than last year in terms of the payments delay, with seemingly no progress made in resolving the same issues that were arising.

“We were led to believe that problems that had arisen in relation to map digitisation over the past couple of years had been resolved but this doesn’t seem to be the case.

“What seems to be happening is that the period from May to September – that should be used to resolve any problem issues – is not being utilised by the Department. This is when nearly all of those potential hold-ups could be dealt with,” said Deputy Ó Cuív.

He said that in relation to the recurring issue of stocking, where a farmer had no changes from last year to this year, the payments should be immediately cleared.

“If there are problems, then the farmers should be told about them well in advance of the payment dates. With better communication from the Department, these farmers on very low incomes, could at least get paid on time,” said Deputy Ó Cuív.