Welcome for REPS fee drop

A DECISION by Teagasc to reduce Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) fees by 3% has been welcomed by farm leaders, but they insist further cuts are needed.

IFA deputy president Derek Deane said the decision must be the beginning of an overall reduction in the cost of complying with the scheme following the Government decision to reduce REPS 4 Payments by 17%.

Mr Deane, who represents the IFA on the Teagasc Board, said further cuts in REPS planning fees can be made in the light of the simplification of the scheme.

“The onus is now on the Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith to come forward with tangible reductions in the cost of compliance with REPS which can also include less time in drawing up a REPS plan as well as annual reviews,” he said.

Mr Deane said that there was no reason why REPS planning fees for Teagasc or private planners could not reduce by 20%.

The IFA estimated that farmers pay up to €30m annually in REPS planning fees and this could now reduce by €6m.

“Teagasc fees rose in 2008 on the back of a 17% increase in REPS 4 payments which the Government have subsequently reneged on.

“It is now up to Teagasc, private planners and the Department of Agriculture to come forward with cost compliance reductions in REPS across the board,” he said, adding that the Teagasc fee reduction is a small step in the right direction.

ICSA rural development chairman Gabriel Gilmartin also called on Teagasc and private planners to cut their fees to match the 17% cut to REPS 4 imposed on farmers in the last budget.