IFA agreement on SPA payments

FOLLOWING protracted negotiations, agreement has finally been reached between the IFA and the Department of the Environment on payments to farmers to offset losses as a result of farming restrictions in the Shannon Callows designated Special Protection Area (SPA).

“The deal will pay farmers annual payments of €450 / ha for corncrake meadowland and €325 / ha on species rich wet grassland,” said IFA Connacht vice-president Michael Silke.

Farmers will now have to draw up a five-year conservation plan under the National Parks and Wildlife farm plan scheme for designated areas.