Minister Heydon Announces €1.9m of Payments under the Baling Assistance Payment (BAP)

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, today announced payments totalling €1.9 million have commenced issuing to farmers under the Baling Assistance Payment (BAP).

The Minister commented:

“The Baling Assistance Payment was introduced in summer 2024, as a once off measure, to support tillage farmers to produce straw for bedding and for fodder during a particularly difficult period of weather. Its establishment allowed farmers who were in the Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) to withdraw and enter BAP to ensure we maximised the availability of fodder and bedding nationally”

Cork North West Fine Gael TD John Paul O’Shea said:

“Farmers who chose to withdraw or partially withdraw from SIM and enter BAP will start to receive payments in the coming days. I would encourage any farmers who have yet to provide the required supporting documentation to submit the information to the Department to allow final payments to be made”

Concluding, the Minister said:

“To date my Department has paid out over €5.6 million in SIM, almost €9.7 million in Protein Aid and €32.4 million under the Tillage and Horticulture Support scheme. These payments are a critical support for tillage and underline the importance of the sector to this Government”

Payments will be visible in farmers’ bank accounts in the coming days.

Farmers wishing to contact the department regarding their Baling Assistance Payment, can ring the Direct Payments Helpline at 057-8674422 or by email to tillage@agriculture.gov.ie