Farm leaders welcome €3bn REPS 4

FARM leaders have welcomed the €3 billion REPS 4 scheme announced by Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan.

IFA president Padraig Walshe said up to 70,000 farmers can potentially join this scheme over the next number of years, particularly as flexibilities have been introduced. These include the inclusion of farmers who qualify for the nitrates derogation as well as relaxation on fertiliser rules.

However, Mr Walshe expressed concern that the scheme is being launched without a satisfactory outcome for farmers who have special areas of conservation, where the designated land reduces the amount eligible for basic REPS payments.

“Despite two attempts to resolve this matter with the Department of Agriculture in recent weeks, it is disappointing that Ms Coughlan has failed to come up with a satisfactory resolution to the issue,” he said.

IFA Rural Development Committee chairman Padraig Divilly advised farmers to examine the scheme carefully.

The recent Teagasc national farm survey showed, on average, that REPS farmers have a 13% higher income than those who are not in the scheme.

ICMSA president Jackie Cahill said he was particularly enthusiastic about the extension of the scheme to intensive dairy farmers for the first time.

Mr Cahill said a number of issues remain outstanding. He agreed with the IFA that how the payment rates for REPS interfaces with special areas of conservation and other designated lands is a particular concern for farmers.

Mr Cahill said the current system is unfair and provides grossly inadequate compensation for designated lands compared to the basic REPS payments.