Farmers told to join REPS 2
Eugene Ryan, Head of REPS, Teagasc, said: “It would be prudent for any farmer contemplating joining the scheme to give serious consideration to joining REPS 2 now rather than waiting for REPS 3 to become available.
“A loss of four to six months before REPS 3 becomes operational is possible, representing a loss in income of up to €3,000 for those on the maximum land area.”
He added: “Many farmers already express a keen interest in the new scheme, but a surge of new applications when REPS 3 is announced would cause a bottleneck in the planning process, leading to delays in obtaining a REPS plan.”
“This delay could run into months, with consequential loss of income”.
He said that in any event, farmers who plan to join REPS should contact their advisors with a view to discussing the pros and cons of the scheme and taking many steps in advance to avoid future delays.
He revealed that the Department of Agriculture is negotiating with the European Commission on a process whereby REPS 3 payments would become available to existing REPS 2 participants through a simple upgrading of plans to take on the extra commitments which will be included in REPS 3.
Mr Ryan said that farming is entering a period of uncertainty but REPS will continue to offer an alternative approach.
