The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has selected 6,840 farmers for remote sensing inspections. The farming community has no issue with that, but it does have an issue with the fact that farmers have to submit their applications before 15 May. They have a few days to sort out their applications and if they go over that, they are penalised. The areas of national constraint, ANC, payments started on 17 September and the basic payment scheme, BPS, started on 16 October. It has now been six months since the applications were submitted and they have not been paid.

Some farmers have not yet received a shilling. This has been the worst year. Farming is in crisis. Farm incomes are on the floor. Why not pay 85% of the ANC and 75% of BPS to farmers now? They need it and are desperate for it. That would leave 15% of ANC and 30% of BPS. There are very few issues, but if any remain after the checks are over the money can be deducted from the remaining 15% and 30%. Farmers need money to pay contractors and their families need money for Christmas.

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. Remote sensing is not random as I understand. I think he suggested that it was.

A total of 6,840 farmers are involved.

There is a difference between what is selected as a problem and what is selected at random. The issue of 85% being paid has come up time and again. I understand the auditors do not accept that methodology, something with which I have sympathy. There are payment runs twice a week at the moment. It is expected that everybody will be paid as quickly as possible. I have been in that position down through the years and I appreciate it is a problem. We are trying to get through the list as quickly as possible. As far as I know, 92% of all ANC payments have been made and a similar percentage of BPS payments have been made.

I have 100 people waiting-----

I thank the Deputy. We cannot get into it.