Review of payment appeals system announced
Agriculture Minister Michelle McIlveen has announced that she has commissioned a review of the process by which farmers can ask DAERA to reconsider a decision of an area-based payment.
Speaking to Newry Times, Miss McIlveen said, “Whilst the current ‘Review of Decisions’ process has been meeting objectives, I am nevertheless concerned by the time taken to issue final decisions.
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“I have therefore asked my officials to review our current provision and put in place a process which better meets the needs of farmers for the 2017 Scheme year. This work will be taken forward in consultation with our stakeholders over the coming months.
“However, my immediate priority is to address the timeliness of final decisions for those already awaiting reviews arising from the introduction of CAP Reform area-based schemes. Therefore, my officials will shortly engage with stakeholders to determine a means by which ‘Review of Decisions’ can be streamlined and made more efficient.”
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The introduction of the CAP Reform area based schemes has led to an unprecedented increase in the number of ‘Review of Decisions’ applications received by the Department.
‘Review of Decisions’ is an important part of the decision making process that provides farmers and farm businesses with the opportunity to seek a reconsideration, where they believe the Department did not reach the correct decision in respect of an area-based payment.
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