Government Presses Case For Advance Payment Of 2008 Single Payment

According to the Clare T.D., ‘ My colleague, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith TD, has already formally applied for an advance payment to over 123,000 Irish farmers in 2008. This week he pressed the case of an advance payment when he met the EU Agriculture Commissioner, Mariann Fischer Boel at a Council of EU Agriculture Ministers meeting in Annecy, France.’

Minister of State Killeen added, ‘Minister Smith has said he is optimistic that his application for an advance payment will be presented at a meeting of the EU Management Committee on Direct Payments this week and receive formal approval shortly thereafter.’

Minister Smith’s approach to the Agriculture Commissioner to advance 50 per cent of the payment was prompted by the very wet summer, which seriously affected farming in Ireland.

‘If Minister Smith’s application is approved, the Department will commence payment of 50 per cent of the 2008 Single Payment Scheme in all cleared cases with effect from 16 October, with the balancing payments being made from 1st December’, concluded Minister Killeen.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (with special responsibility for Fisheries and Forestry), is available for interview and further comment on 0035387-2525304. Alternatively please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 00353868534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- High-resolution images of Minister Killeen are available

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900