Clare TD Calls For Farmers' Bills To Be Paused Until ACRES Payments Are Issued

An Independent Clare TD says it's "outrageous" that ACRES payments haven't been made to farmers due to administrative difficulties. The ACRES scheme was launched last year to support farmers in enhancing biodiversity, climate, air and water quality on their farms, with 46,000 applicants accepted into the first tranche of the scheme. The Minister for Agriculture has announced however that due to "unprecedented numbers", farmers due to receive payments under the ACRES Co-Operation Project won't receive their payments until next February. Speaking in the Dáil, Scariff Independent TD Michael McNamara says farmers shouldn't have to pay money to Teagasc under the scheme before they've received their advance payments.