‘2010 agri-environment scheme to focus on those exiting REPS’

THE new agri-environment scheme that will come into effect from 2010 as part of the revised Rural Development Plan will be focused principally on those coming out of the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS).

Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith said the scheme will impose less compliance costs on farmers than the existing REPS scheme.

“I believe this is the right way to use the new modulation funds, along with some additional funding from the EU’s Economic Recovery Programme, and the available national exchequer funds, which will be provided in the annual budgetary process later in the year,” he said.