Mayo farmers in receipt of the Single Farm Payment will receive a refund in respect of modulation, according to Government spokesperson on agriculture in Seanad Éireann, John Carty.
“The Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith TD has announced that payment of refunds worth in excess of €24 million to over 122,000 farmers around the country will begin this week. Farmers are not liable for modulation reduction on the first €5,000 of their Single Farm Payment but EU rules compel the Department of Agriculture to make the reduction and then to make a refund later.
“This has led to unnecessary additional red tape and has had a negative impact on cashflow. Minister Smith recognised this and had pushed for change. Under the recently concluded health check negotiations the Department will no longer be required to make deductions for modulation in respect to the first €5,000 of the Single Payment.
“I know that this change will be welcomed by affected farmers in Mayo,” concluded Senator Carty.
