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Catherina Cunnane
Catherina Cunnanehttps://www.thatsfarming.com/
Catherina Cunnane hails from a sixth-generation drystock and specialised pedigree suckler enterprise in Co. Mayo. She currently holds the positions of editor and general manager at That's Farming, having joined the firm during its start-up phase in 2015.
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€138m cash boost as GLAS payments commence

2020 advance payments under the Green Low-Carbon Agri Environment Scheme (GLAS) will commence this week, a fortnight ahead of schedule.

€138 million will arrive in almost 40,000 GLAS farmers’ bank accounts this week.

Confirming the news, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., said, “Farmers across the country, in what has been a particularly challenging year, will benefit from these payments.”

“These advance payments, at a rate of 85%, of the full annual payment are an important support to farmers in the delivery of key environmental actions. They are also of importance to the wider rural economy.”

“I have previously outlined that a key priority for my Department is the efficient issuing of scheme payments to farmers.”

He said he is pleased that these payments are commencing two weeks ahead of the stated target of mid-November. They are also issuing to a higher number of participants than last year.

€4 million more

Overall, compared to this time last year, the DAFM is paying €4 million more to 3% more scheme participants.

“When combined, payments under the 2020 Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme (ANC) which started in September and the advance BPS payments which commenced on the earliest possible date of October 16th, 2020, together with GLAS Advance payments, mean that payments of over €1.12 billion have now issued to Irish farmers since September.”

“The good news for these GLAS participants is that they now have the certainty of participating in the scheme for next year if they wish thanks to us securing the funding allocation in the budget.”

“I am pleased that we have achieved this and avoided the issues of the past where scheme participants did not have this certainty when transitioning from one RDP to another.”

Helpline

To facilitate farmers wishing to contact the Department regarding GLAS payments, extended hours are in place for the helpline.

It will be open from Monday to Friday and on the morning of Saturday, November 7ty and Saturday, November 14th up to 1.30pm.

The GLAS Helpdesk can be contacted at 076 1064451. Farmers can also submit any queries they may have to [email protected].

Regular pay runs will be in place over the coming weeks to issue payments as GLAS cases are cleared for payment.

Any GLAS participants with outstanding documentation including LESS or rare breed forms or those who have been contacted by the Department with queries in relation to their GLAS participation or BPS application, should respond as soon as possible in order to facilitate the early issue of payments.

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