IFA seeks immediate REPS 4 payout

AN immediate payout of Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS 4) payments by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food was sought by the Irish Farmers’ Association yesterday.

Up to 300 farmers who joined the REPS 4 at the end of 2007, but whose applications were not approved until early 2008, are due payment for the months they were in the scheme at the end of last year, according to the IFA.

Tom Turley, Rural Development Committee chairman, said the IFA estimated that, in some cases, farmers could be owed up to €2,000.