Support for young farmers, the future hill payments under Areas of Natural Constraint and farm inspections were among the main topics raised before the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Michelle McIlveen, when she attended a county meeting of the Ulster Farmers’ Union.
Among those putting questions to the Minister was Andrew Little, Chairman of Fermanagh YFC who revealed how last year, many of the young farmers applicants were the last to be paid their Basic Farm Payments. Having applied successfully last year, Andrew then informed the Minister how he and other young farmers were asked to furnish their set of farm accounts within a two-week period ending last week. 
“Does this mean young farmers put at the bottom of the list again?” he asked. “We need them raised in profile,” he said.
The Minister replied that she would be keen to look at this situation.
The same issue was endorsed by other younger farmers in the audience.
Another issue was the new Areas of National Constraint or ANCs to replace the traditional hill subsidies. John Sheridan wondered if the £20 million devoted to those payments was now going to be lost in the system as well as the £30m for environmental schemes which is not being used at present as the old schemes have closed and the new environmental payments are not ready to be launched until next February.
He said farmers in charge of 400,000 hectares of land in Northern Ireland were looking at a loss of £40m this year.
“I would like some commitment to try and find that,” he said.
Victor Chestnutt, the UFU’s Deputy President, who also addressed the meeting, said his farm had completed their environmental scheme in 2012 and were without payments since.
The Minister said she wants to focus on productive agriculture and wants to make an informed decision on future payments.

Read more ....Farmers to soon begin receiving Basic Farm Payment


Derek Thornton raised another issue why those farmers who had been inspected, were not receiving the 70 per cent advance payments due out next week. He said anyone with an inspection should be entitled to at least 50 per cent of advance payments to help with cashflow.
Victor Chestnutt replied that the UFU have lobbied to have the rules on this softened. 
Minister McIlveen said she would bring this back to her officials although Stephen Millar, from Daera, who accompanied her, said they could only pay on eligible claims but he also said they would re-look at this.
TB breakdowns was another issue raised with some farmers citing wildlife such as badgers and deer as harbouring TB and the fact the same tests have been around for decades. The Minister said she was awaiting a TB report in November.
 and acknowledging that TB breakdowns cost farmers alot of money, she wants to see the diseasVictor Chestnutt said he will want to see a major reduction in TB incidence before he leaves the UFU Presidential team in six years time
An appeal was also made to the Minister to re-introduce general agriculture courses at Enniskillen Campus of CAFRE. She replied she was visiting the Campus the next day and would see what they offer at present.
During her address to farmers earlier, the Minister said delivering a profitable farming industry was a key objective for her during her time in office.
Miss McIlveen said her focus is on improving the economic performance of the industry, supporting farmers through challenging times and ensuring that vital financial support and trade links are maintained during and after UK’s exit from the European Union.
She told them: “Our farmers are at the heart of our agri-food industry which has an annual turnover of almost £5billion and 20,000 employees. I believe there is significant potential for further expansion in this sector; and I aim to bring a sharper focus to Government’s role in collaborating with the industry to support growth. Last month, I announced the launch of the preparation stage for the capital element of the new Farm Business Improvement Scheme (FBIS). I believe this will help to grow the sector, by enabling farmers to invest in the next generation of their farms.”
The new capital grant scheme is to be launched in a matter of days.
During the meeting, the Minister was praised for announcing a 70 per cent advance of subsidies from October 17, a first for any region of the UK.
“We will be issuing a 70% advance to Basic and Greening Payments to eligible farm businesses and we are also committed to paying at least 95% of eligible Basic Payment Scheme applicants in December.
“Since my appointment, I have pressed DEFRA Ministers and the European Commission on the need for urgent and meaningful support for hard pressed farmers, particularly those in the dairy sector. I was pleased when Commissioner Hogan announced a package of measures aimed at addressing the financial difficulties. There are two key elements of the package – the provision for EU Milk Production Reduction Aid and Exceptional Adjustment Aid.
Referring to Brexit, she said farmers got an early boost with the depreciation of the value of sterling which will have a positive impact on the value of basic farm payments and the exchange rate was improving prices for exported goods.
“First and foremost, my priority is to preserve vital financial support for the farming, and fisheries, sectors. Secondly, I am acutely aware of the importance of the agri-food sector to our economy and employment so I want an agricultural policy framework that underpins its sustainable growth and competitiveness. Thirdly, we must ensure our continued ability to trade effectively and profitability both inwardly and outwardly.”