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Farmers get £270m CAP subsidies Farmers get £270m CAP subsidies
(about 1 hour later)
More than £270m in EU farm subsidies was paid in Northern Ireland last year, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has said.More than £270m in EU farm subsidies was paid in Northern Ireland last year, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has said.
The biggest payment was to an Armagh farmer who received more than £354,000 in subsidies.The biggest payment was to an Armagh farmer who received more than £354,000 in subsidies.
The Ulster Farmers' Union welcomed moves to make the Common Agricultural Policy payments more transparent.The Ulster Farmers' Union welcomed moves to make the Common Agricultural Policy payments more transparent.
However, the UFU criticised DARD's decision to include personal financial details for individual farmers.However, the UFU criticised DARD's decision to include personal financial details for individual farmers.
They had wanted businesss reference numbers used instead of names, but DARD minister David Cairns said there was a need for greater transparency in relation to public monies and the context in which these are paid.
"This is taxpayers' money and so the public have a right to know how much money is spent and what is sought in return," he said.
UFU president Kenneth Sharkey said they had presented proposals to DARD on how to publish the information.UFU president Kenneth Sharkey said they had presented proposals to DARD on how to publish the information.
"Publishing these figures individually serves no genuine public interest, but simply creates a 'curiosity shop' on the internet," he said."Publishing these figures individually serves no genuine public interest, but simply creates a 'curiosity shop' on the internet," he said.
"Farmers payments have been singled out for publication, while all other payments, such as welfare benefits continue to be protected by the Data Protection Act.""Farmers payments have been singled out for publication, while all other payments, such as welfare benefits continue to be protected by the Data Protection Act."
Mr Sharkey said CAP funding to Northern Ireland helped "maintain over 50,000 jobs on farms and another 18,000 jobs in the food processing industry".Mr Sharkey said CAP funding to Northern Ireland helped "maintain over 50,000 jobs on farms and another 18,000 jobs in the food processing industry".
"The funding is a crucial input to an industry generating a £2.4 billion turnover for the local economy," he said."The funding is a crucial input to an industry generating a £2.4 billion turnover for the local economy," he said.
Seven farmers received more than £200,000 in subsidies and 120 landowners got more than £75,000. The total was shared by 42,000 recipients.Seven farmers received more than £200,000 in subsidies and 120 landowners got more than £75,000. The total was shared by 42,000 recipients.
The figures published by the department said 420 farmers received more than £50,000 and 8,000 farmers got £10,000 or more.The figures published by the department said 420 farmers received more than £50,000 and 8,000 farmers got £10,000 or more.
The bulk of the payments though amounted to less than £100 per week.The bulk of the payments though amounted to less than £100 per week.
DARD itself received £222,507 in subsidies and one of Northern Ireland's largest landowners, the Duke of Abercorn, received £52,373.DARD itself received £222,507 in subsidies and one of Northern Ireland's largest landowners, the Duke of Abercorn, received £52,373.