€11.5 million EU Dairy Fund to be distributed on flat rate basis - Cregan

Limerick West TD John Cregan has learned that Ireland’s €11.5 million allocation from the EU dairy fund is to be distributed on a flat rate basis to Limerick dairy farmers active in the 2008/ 2009 year. After making enquiries to the Department of Agriculture on this subject, Deputy Cregan was also informed that the payments will be made to farmers using the Single Payment systems of the Department and they will be issued as soon as possible.

To facilitate the speedy payment of these funds producers will not be required to submit an application. Eligible cases will be identified on the Department’s database and payment will issue to them accordingly.

“It’s important that our dairy farmers receive this funding quickly,” said Deputy Cregan. “They have been experiencing a very difficult time and I know many have been waiting for these payments to be issued.”

“The funding of €11.5 million for Ireland is drawn from a EU fund of €300 million which was agreed last October to support dairy farmers severely impacted by the fall in prices.”

“I understand the Department of Agriculture undertook a consultation process with the dairy organisations before deciding on the best method of payment. I hope now that arrangement is in place that there will be a speedy distribution of the funding,” Deputy Cregan concluded.