Give 23,000 REPS 3 farmers access to AEOS scheme, says ICMSA

Some 23,000 farmers whose REPS 3 contracts have expired must be given immediate access to the AEOS environmental scheme, said the ICMSA dairy farmer group.

Patrick Rohan, chairman of the ICMSA farm services and environment committee, explained the plight of farmers exiting the REPS 3 scheme in a meeting with senior Department of Agriculture officials. “Many of these farmers have been in REPS since its inception in 1994 and are committed to environmental farming practices,” said Mr Rohan.

“ICMSA believes it is crucial adequate funding is provided for a new AEOS scheme and all farmers are given an opportunity to avail of it.”