Farmers furious at grants decision

THERE was a furious farm lobby reaction last night to a Government decision to phase the payment of an estimated €550 million due to 17,000 farmers in waste management grants.

It was claimed the decision, announced in the Dáil by Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith, will deepen a cash-flow crisis on farms.

The grants for completed environmental works, which farmers were awaiting, will now be paid on a phased basis.