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.