§ 9. Kali MountfordTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to ensure prompt payments for claims under the agrimonetary compensation scheme. [155686]
§ Mr. Nick BrownPayments of the £156 million optional agrimonetary compensation to livestock farmers will begin later this week following accelerated approval by the European Commission. Sheep farmers are already receiving the payments due to them in compulsory agrimonetary compensation, and payment of their optional amounts will be under way during April. Dairy producers can expect to receive the bulk of their agrimonetary payments during April and May, with residual balance payments being made to them later in the year. Payments to beef producers will begin in May.