MINISTER PUBLISHES FIRST REPORT ON PAYMENT OF FARM SUBSIDIES FOR 2003
Mr Ian Pearson, MP, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, today published details of his Department's performance against the Profile of Premia Payments for 2003-2004.
The Minister said: "Over £84 million of farm subsidy payments have been paid to local farmers between 24 October and 31 December 2003. This is a welcome boost to farm incomes at this time. I am pleased to say that the majority of payments have been made within the published targets."
Mr Pearson indicated that payments had been made on over 97% of claims for Sheep Premium, 98% of claims for Arable Area Payments, 98% of claims for Slaughter Premium, 94% of claims for Beef Special Premium and 94% of claims for Suckler Cow Premium which were due a payment by the end of December 2003.
Advance and balance payments on 2003 Year claims for beef subsidy will continue over the next six months with claims generally being paid in the date order in which they were received throughout the year. Claims scheduled for payment in line with published targets but not yet paid have queries and these are being pursued with the farmers concerned so that any payment due can be released as soon as possible.
The Minister reminded farmers that advance payments on beef subsidy claims represented a provisional assessment of their claims as European Commission rules mean that final entitlement cannot be fully assessed until after the end of the 2003 Year when all possible claims for each farm business have been received and verified.
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