IFA Calls on Minister Creed to Clarify when the Remaining 3,800 Farmers in Glas Will Be Paid

IFA Rural Development Chairman, Joe Brady, has called on the Minister of Agriculture, Michael Creed, to clarify to the 3,800 farmers who are still due their GLAS payment when they will be paid.

Joe Brady reminded the Minister of the commitment made by his Department at the recent Charter of Rights meeting that all outstanding payments would be made at the end of April.

Since the start of the year, 5,000 farmers have received the 85% GLAS payment, on top of the 28,000 farmers who were paid before the end of 2016. “This means, that on average, a little over 300 farmers have been paid per week and at this rate of payment it will be another three months before all cases are sorted out. This is just not acceptable and Minister Creed needs to step up to the mark to sort out this debacle and to tell farmers when they will be paid”, Joe Brady insisted.

IFA estimates that €40m is still owed to GLAS farmers for 2016. This includes the 3,800 farmers who are still due their payment, 33,000 farmers who got partial payment who are still owed the final 15% payment and the GLAS + to 3,000 farmers

Farmer frustration is at boiling point, and Minister Creed must show his commitment to farmers in GLAS by making all outstanding payments without any further delay.