Byrne Questions
Minister on Single Farm Payment Delays
Joe Byrne SDLP MLA and Deputy Chair of the Committee for
Agriculture and Rural Development questioned the DARD Minister in a debate on
SFP in the assembly on Tuesday 14th January on the delays in SFP
that are affecting many farmers in the region.
He said that ‘the SFP is the farmer’s entitlement not a
bonus or benefit and is the largest item of revenue that the farmer receives.
Delays in payments due to slow processing have a knock on affect as farmers
will generally need to buy or owe money for feeds and fertilisers. Delays add
pain and frustration to farmers and their suppliers who are all being put under
pressure by banks.’
‘Farmers want the Minister to take urgent steps to alleviate
the farmers’ problems in relation to and particularly those who have
experienced delayed and repeated inspections and consequential delayed payments. In many cases these are not the fault of the
farmer.’
The local economy is also dependent on these payments as
when the farmer gets the money it will go into the economy and generate more
spending.
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