IFA: Cuts to payments will affect lots of farmers

The agriculture sector has not been left untouched by part one of the Budget.

The farmers' REPS 3 scheme has been cut by 10% whilst payments under the disadvantaged area scheme are being reduced by 15%.

Chairman of the Irish Farmers Association John Bryan has said, even though the agriculture sector is performing well, it needs to be protected.

Mr Bryan said: "We all accepted that there was going to have to be cuts, but we also thought that there was going to be support for jobs and support for exports.

"There is a lot of farmers on medium to low incomes very dependent on the scheme, and the cuts of 10% on the REPS 3 scheme and of 15% on those in disadvantaged areas, will have a severe affect on some farmers' income."