Long Overdue Glas Payments Now Being Made

IFA Rural Development Chairman Joe Brady said the long overdue 15% second phase GLAS payment for 2015 is now being made to around 24,000 farmers.

The payment worth nearly €5million has been awaited for some time by farmers.

In the case of commonage farmers, the payment due will be greater as the Department of Agriculture only paid out on up to 17ha when first phase payments were made at the end of 2015/ early 2016.

This will bring to a conclusion the three-month payment due for 2015.

Joe Brady said it is important that the 2016 GLAS payments commence in October. He said, following the recent EU agreement to allow 85% first phase payment to be made, it is important that this amount – worth about, €142m to 38,000 farmers who are in the scheme in 2016 – is paid.

This payment should be followed shortly after by the 15% balance, which will be worth €25m, to bring the total value of GLAS this year to €167m.

These payments will be of huge importance in this very difficult year.

Joe Brady is calling for the early opening of the third phase of GLAS to bring the total number in the scheme to 60,000.