An advance on the 2008 Single Payment will be made to Irish farmers, following talks between the State the EU Commission.

Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith repeatedly pressed the case for an advance payment of the 2008 Single Payment, and had earlier reassured the rural community he would do everything in his power to secure the grants.

Junior Minister Tony Killeen praised Mr Smith's efforts: "Minister Smith this week met the EU Agriculture Commissioner, Mariann Fischer Boel at a Council of EU Agriculture Ministers meeting in Annecy, France.

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"This approach to the Agriculture Commissioner to advance 50% of the payment was prompted by the very wet summer, which seriously affected farming in Ireland."

"The Department can now commence payment of 50% of the 2008 Single Payment Scheme in all cleared cases with effect from 16 October, with the balancing payments being made from 1 December," Minister Killeen said.

He suggested that these payments and the payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, which have commenced this week, would inject in excess of €750 million into the Irish rural economy in the coming weeks.

See: Farming Minister Lobbies EU For Advance On Single Payment

(PR/JM)