Late ACRES payments "disgraceful"

Farmers have been “forced” to sell their stock a month early, said Cllr Gerry Dolan at a recent meeting due to a delay in payments for the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES).

At the latest meeting of the Ballinamore Municipal District, Cllr Dolan said he felt it was “disgraceful and not acceptable”  where he received a response regarding a motion he put forward this summer in relation to the issue.

Cllr Dolan said he was disappointed that the minister did not “reverse his decision regarding sending out the payments” saying that he has spoken to several farmers at the mart who were forced to sell their “weanlings and cattle a month early because they are depending on the payments to pay for banks, silage making, etc.”

He added that “Last Friday night told the tale; there wasn't place for any more cattle.”

Cllr Brendan Barry backed Cllr Dolan's  comment but welcomed the fact that the “minister moved on the score cards” adding that “hopefully all those people will get an ACRES payment this year.”

Cllr Enda McGloin said, “It's a new payment system software and it will be late for one year but once it's done, it's done.”

He suggested the minister should “intervene with banking institutions” and “officially say to them that farmers are under pressure, but it will be alright on the night.”