AEOS 2 scheme being ‘undermined’ by late payments and shortfalls

THE credibility of the environmental farming scheme AEOS 2 has been undermined by late payments and anticipated shortfalls, according to the Irish Farmers Association (IFA).

IFA rural development chairman, Tom Turley, said the projected targets for AEOS 2 set down by Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney will more than likely not now be met.

He also said the failure to pay any of AEOS 1 for 2010 is also a major blow to the credibility of the scheme, and said the minister must instruct his department to pay out €8 million due to up to 9,000 farmers for last year’s scheme.

Mr Turley said: “Cutbacks in the scheme announced by the minister in early April have led to farmers questioning the merits of the scheme. With the closing date now passed the minister must now strive to revitalise the scheme in advance of next year’s application date.”

The feedback from planners throughout the country to IFA is that the level of interest from former REPS 3 farmers is around 50%, with a smaller number of other farmers interested.