A group of dairy producers have filed judicial protests against the government for reneging on the payment of hundreds of thousands of euros in agricultural funds despite contracts signed in 2013.

At least 14 farmers filed judicial protests demanding the funds committed to them be paid after each had invested thousands of euros to modernise their farms to meet EU standards.

In February 2008, the farmers were informed that following the consideration of their request for funding, a contract was to be signed for them to be paid 25 per cent of the total payment in advance. The rest was to be paid once the work was completed. Each farmer holds a contract signed with the government in March 2013 on the amount of funds to be received. The farmers made the investments based on the commitment they would be reimbursed 50 per cent of costs.

The amounts stipulated in individual contracts were due to be given from the Dairy Restructuring Aid-Animal Housing Scheme, and the figure was established after farm inspections made by government officials.

Following the change in government, a revision board was appointed that was authorised to evaluate each contract to ensure no double payments would occur. The board noted the amounts to be paid to each farmer in their respective files. Farmers were then expecting payment.

Yet a letter sent to them last November informed them the amount they would be receiving was significantly less than that established in the contract as well as that noted by the board. This offer was rejected and while the farmers wrote several letters to the respective authorities they never received a reply, according to the judicial protests filed.

The lawyers filing the protests on behalf of the farmers are arguing this was abuse of power. In addition, they state that the actions of the government officials involved were unconstitutional, illegal, arbitrary and in breach of the farmers’ rights.

The aid scheme for dairy producers was launched in June 2006 with an allocation of €13.2 million and had received 69 applications, according to information tabled in Parliament in 2011. This newspaper is informed there are more farmers filing similar protests and considering legal action.