Minister rejects criticism of REPS 4 closure

Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith has rejected criticism of the Government's decision to close the fourth phase of the Rural Environmental Protection Scheme (REPS4).

Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith has rejected criticism of the Government's decision to close the fourth phase of the Rural Environmental Protection Scheme.

The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) and Fine Gael have hit out at the move to end the subsidy, claiming it was a cutback targeted farmers who receive some of the lowest incomes in the country.