IFA expects Smith to produce package on farm waste grants

IRISH Farmers Association president Padraig Walshe said yesterday he expects Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith to bring a package to a crucial meeting today with the farm organisations, including Government payment of interest on the delayed farm waste management scheme grants.

Mr Walshe said after five hours of talks, Mr Smith was left in no doubt about the devastation that hit over 17,000 farmers after the Government announced to phase the grant payments.

He said the minister undertook at the Wednesday meeting to make proposals to the Department of Finance regarding the interest on the outstanding payment to farmers as a result of the Government’s decision to renege on the grants payments.