IFA calls for ‘meaningful’ AEOS 3 scheme to help protect farm income

A meaningful AEOS 3 scheme must be put in place for the thousands of farmers who have finished REPS, according to the Irish Farmers Association.

IFA rural development chairman Flor McCarthy said farmers are very dependent on the EU environmental scheme to support their farm income, and in immediate need of a new scheme to be rolled out.

Mr McCarthy said a substantial number of the 13,000 farmers who finished REPS 3 during the past 12 months need an AEOS 3 scheme as the Teagasc National Farm Survey has consistently shown that REPS payments make up a significant element of farm income, and in particular on drystock farms.