ANC payments to island farmers have commenced – Harrington

Fine Gael TD for Cork South West, Noel Harrington TD today (Wednesday) welcomed the announcement made by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, TD, that payment for Island Farmers under the new Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme has started issuing, on schedule, today.

“I am pleased that these payments, worth some €1 million to island farmers nationally, are on target. This will be of significant benefit to the farmers on the seven inhabited offshore islands of West Cork: Bere, Dursey, Whiddy, Cape Clear, Heir, Long, and Sherkin.

“Island farming is difficult at the best of times, and the difficult weather experienced over the past few months, posed even greater challenges to the farmers on these islands.

“This aid will help maintain agricultural production, which will in turn provide a boost to the economic activity on the islands and will deliver benefits to the environment by way of the preservation of their unique habitats”.

“The payment rates for island farmers will be €250 per hectare for land area up to 20 hectares; €150 per hectare for between 20 and 34 hectares and €70 for land between 34 and 40 hectares.

“Earlier this year, Minister Coveney replaced the Disadvantaged Area Scheme with this new scheme, designating the off-shore islands, as Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC), which is co-funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).

“Payments will continue to issue as individual cases are confirmed eligible for the payment.”