To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to speed up the payment of grants and subsidies to farmers; and if he will make a statement.

The timing of payments depends on a number of factors, including the determination of the relevant rates, rules of eligibility and the availability of resources to carry out detailed administrative checks. Subject to these constraints, payments are made as quickly as possible. I fully recognise the importance of early payments to the farmers concerned.