IFA to highlight shortcomings in new scheme to replace REPS

IFA PRESIDENT John Bryan said that he would be contacting the Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith immediately to highlight some serious shortcomings that need to be addressed in the new Agri-Environmental Scheme to replace REPS, which the Department of Agriculture is proposing.

He said farmers must be in a position to get an average payment of €5,000 with reduced compliance costs and the Minister for Agriculture must ensure that the new scheme delivers this.

IFA National Rural Development chairman Tom Turley said farmers will be very angry that their payment levels will be reduced under the new scheme.

“Hill and SAC farmers who have to comply with ongoing, huge environmental restrictions placed on their lands must get higher payments. Mr Smith has at his disposal €50 million for the new scheme. With 10,000 farmers exiting REPS 3 by the 17th of May, he must deliver a payment of at least an average of €5,000 to all farmers, and higher payments to Hill and SAC areas.”

Mr Turley outlined to the Department the shortcomings of the new scheme.

“This scheme delivered huge gains for the environment and the rural economy. The Minister must ensure that the issues raised by IFA are addressed if the new scheme is to do the same,” he concluded.