The European Commission will return more than €21 million to Irish farmers that was taken from direct payments.
During 2021, under the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP), €879.8 million was deducted from European farmers for the agricultural crisis reserve.
The money was used to ensure the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) did not overrun.
European Farmers are supported through the EAGF to provide a secure supply of safe, healthy and affordable food. It also offers a basic payment scheme for farmers; green direct payments for sustainable farming and a payment for young farmers.
However the crisis reserve of €487.6 million was unused in 2021 and a €686 million of the amounts deducted from direct payments will be reimbursed.
French farmers will be reimbursed €140,9 million along with farmers in Spain and Germany each receiving €93 million.
Under the new CAP, changes will be made to the existing income support system, with measures being taken to ensure a fairer distribution of financial support for farmers and workers across the EU.
The EU says that income support is frequently an important share of agricultural income and helps nearly 6.3 million farms throughout the European Union.
LSL News.