Between September and December of last year, Laois farmers received over €47 million in payments via different schemes run by the Department of Agriculture.
From the middle of September, payments relating to 15 different schemes commenced.
And by the end of December, almost €1.73 billion had been paid out nationally.
The Department say that “these payments are a vital support for farmers across the country and contribute greatly to maximising income and cashflow in the sector in what was a very challenging year for farmers”.
Local Green Party Minister Pippa Hackett welcomed the payments.
She said: “Laois farmers received more than €47m across various 2020 schemes as part of the €1.73bn spent nationwide.
“As well as the main schemes, the Department also supported European Innovation Partnerships and projects protecting Hen Harrier and the Freshwater Pearl Mussel.
“I’m delighted to see investment in both traditional farm supports and environmental protection projects.”
Laois received more money than Carlow, Kilkenny and Offaly but less than Tipperary who received €116 million.
A more detailed breakdown of Schemes can be found at gov.ie – Scheme Payments by County September to December 2020.
Laois Payments:
- Basic Payment Scheme: €34,650,200.44
- Areas of Natural Constraints: €3,747,467.48
- GLAS is the agri-environment scheme: €2,644,558.21
- Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme: €698,743.03
- Sheep & Welfare: €157,939.94
- Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme-Suckler scheme: €1,290,935
- Beef Finisher Payment: €2,734,900.00
- Beef Data and Genomics Programme: €1201297.37
- Protein Aid: €81,578.15
- Organics: €255,891.02
- Total: €47,463,510.64
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