FARMERS TO BE PAID EUROPEAN AID EARLY

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment said last week that from the second half of October it will be paying almost eight million euros in subsidies to Almeria farmers from the Single Payment Scheme, after receiving approval from regional authorities to anticipate 50 percent of the direct aid due from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which is paid annually to farmers within Andalusia.

This measure, which will benefit agricultural and livestock farmers in the province, is provided to improve the sector’s financial liquidity. Covering the period between December 1 and June 30, because of the difficult economic climate, it has been agreed that the subsidy will be paid at least six weeks ahead of schedule.

Last year, Andalusia, benefitted from the Common Agricultural Policy Single Payment Scheme to the tune of 661 million euros.

These grants are managed by the Directorate General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment of the Junta de Andalucía, which is the Spanish government department which handles subsidies from European funds for farmers and livestock and to mark the efficiency of the agency it has been awarded the quality certificate ISO 9001/2000 Aenor.