IFA warns against farm payment cuts

THE Government was warned yesterday against any further cuts in the payment level for farmers in the Rural Environment Protection Scheme.

A 17% cut in REPS 4 payments was announced in the supplementary budget, but the scheme is also being reviewed.

Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith said REPS has succeeded in meeting environmental imperatives and consumer demands for environmentally friendly food production.

He said: “REPS applications will continue to be accepted up to the predetermined closing date of May 15 and... I will then review the payment level for REPS 3 participants.

“In the context of 2010, I intend to look at how we can use unused Common Agricultural Policy funds and modulated monies, including the options in relation to REPS, to achieve the maximum benefit for Irish farmers and the agri-food sector.”

IFA president Padraig Walshe said the cut in REPS 4 payments would impact severely on the incomes of 12,000 farmers who have committed themselves to significant environmental costs on their farms for the next four years. Warning against cutting the payment level for participants in REPS 3, he said farmers have already spent substantial sums to meet plans.

Mr Walshe said the IFA made it clear to Mr Smith the e29 million in unused CAP funds secured last November must be allocated to address the income crisis in the sheep sector.