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.