Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 July 2012
416 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farm payments will be advanced in 2012 due to the fact that it has been a bad year for farmers with the poor weather conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33426/12]
View answerAs already announced, it is my firm intention to seek the approval of the EU Commissioner to allow the payment of a 50% advance of the Single Payment with effect from 16 October, the earliest payment date possible, it being the first day of the new EU financial year. I am both particularly mindful of the importance of the Single Payment to individual farmers and also of the benefit to the wider rural community and, in light of ongoing general financial difficulties, but particularly the recent very unseasonable weather, I have decided to approach the Commissioner, as indicated.
