Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer has welcomed the decision by DAERA Minister Andrew Muir to retain 3 hectares as the minimum claim size for the Farm Sustainability Payment.   

The party’s agriculture spokesperson said:

“The decision to retain the 3-hectare minimum claim size will come as a relief to the 1491 small farms who would not have been eligible for the new payment. It would have put many of them out of business with serious consequences for these farmers, their families and the local economy. 

“Local farms are essential for rural sustainability and the future of local schools, sports clubs and services. 

 “In most cases, the only option to secure planning permission in rural areas is access to an active farm business number. If these farms went out of business, it would have a severe knock-on impact on young families wanting to set up home in the country. 

 “Sinn Féin strongly resisted the proposal to increase the minimum claim size from 3 ha to 5 ha and secured the unanimous support of the agriculture committee to press the department to stick to the 3-hectare farm size which is also in line with the rest of Ireland and the EU. 

 “I welcome the fact that the minister has listened and has made the correct decision to help protect these small farms.”