REPS3 ideal boost to drystock incomes
SIGNIFICANT extra income over five years from REPS 3 is particularly attractive to drystock farmers changing their system of farming after decoupling. Many farmers have already expressed a keen interest in the new scheme, for which application forms are now becoming available.
However, like REPS 1 and 2, REPS 3 is a "regulation-heavy" scheme. Many farmers have found it difficult to comply with the hundreds of rules.
As a last resort, farmers took 324 agriculture related complaints to the Ombudsman's Office in 2003, and REPS was the main area concerned, generating 52 complaints.
Farmers interested in REPS 3 can now access the full regulations on the Department of Agriculture website (www.agriculture.gov.ie). The website includes the following Frequently Asked Questions.
: When will I get paid?
: First Year Payment: You should receive your first payment within one month of having being approved into this scheme.
Second and Subsequent Year Payments: An annual application form (Form REPS 1C) will be posted to you before your anniversary date. You must complete and return this form to your local AES Office within the specified deadline. Payment will issue following the processing.
It is your responsibility to ensure that applications for second and subsequent years payments are submitted within the specified time limit.
: Can I get my REPS monies paid into my bank account?
: Yes, get a REPS BKPAY1 Form (available from your local AES office) and submit the completed form to your local AES office.
: Do I have to complete an Area Aid form each year?
: Yes, the Department can only pay if the plots are declared each year on your area aid form.
: What do I have to do if I rent land short term?
: Land rented for less than 5 years is short term. You must declare short-term rented land on your Area Aid application each year. You must manage this land in accordance with the scheme requirements.
: Will I get paid for short-term rented land?
: No.
: Can I get paid if I acquire additional land?
: Yes: If your contract area is increased by more than 2 ha, you must submit a new five-year plan to receive payment on your additional land.
If your contract area is increased by less than 2 ha, you must submit an amended plan with your 1C to receive payment.
: What happens if I sell land?
: If it does not remain in the scheme, become afforested or was acquired through CPO, you will be required to return money paid in respect of this land.
: Can I increase/decrease stock numbers?
: If you propose to increase your stock numbers or stocking density in excess of 10%, or if you propose to decrease your stock numbers by 20% or more an amended plan will be required.
: What do I have to do if I change crop type?
: You must ensure that your fertiliser usage does not exceed REPS requirement for the crops grown.
: What do I do if I change my farming system?
: You must get your plan amended by your REPS Planner.
: Can I import or export slurry?
: Yes, any import or export of slurry must form part of your nutrient management plan and must be declared on form REPS W.
: Can I allow another farmer's livestock graze on my holding?
: Yes, provided form REPS G is completed: Cattle may only be grazed for a maximum of 3 consecutive months between the period April 1 to October 31, If you are a stable owner or horse breeder who own a minimum of 4 LU of horse on average throughout the year and maintain a minimum stocking rate of 1 horse LU per 4 hectares, the grazing of livestock is permitted throughout the period April 1 to October 31. The grazing of sheep is permitted at any time throughout the year subject at all times to a maximum period of 3 consecutive months.
Livery business' may take in horses throughout the year.
: Can I avail of winter housing on another holding?
: Yes, provided form REPS H is completed. This is conditional on: Housing facilities complying with REPS Specifications.
The waste produced being disposed of on your own holding or exported to another REPS farm.
: Can I house livestock belonging to another farmer on my holding?
: Yes, provided form REPS H is completed. This is conditional on: Such stock having separate housing facilities.
Separate waste storage facilities and separate air space.
The waste produced is disposed of on the farm of the fodder producer.
: Can I afforest part of my holding?
: Yes, however you will lose the REPS payment on the land afforested.
: Can I transfer the holding to my son/daughter?
: Yes, but the land must to be farmed in accordance with REPS or repayment will be required.
: Can I retire before my five years are finished?
: Yes, if you have three years of your contract completed and you definitively cease farming. Otherwise repayment of REPS monies received will be required.
: What happens if I have to leave the scheme before my 5 years are up?
: You will be required to repay monies received, unless Force Majeure circumstances, listed below, are recognised.
Death of the participant; Long-term professional incapacity of the participant; Expropriation of a large part of the holding if such expropriation could not have been anticipated on joining the Scheme; A natural disaster affecting the holdings agricultural land; The accidental destruction of livestock buildings on the farm; An outbreak of disease affecting all or part of the livestock on the farm.
: Will my farm be subject to REPS inspections?
: Yes, inspections and checks must be carried out at farm level to ensure that all undertakings have been completed. Those who incur penalties will be subject to inspection more often.
: What happens if I do not have the work done?
: A monetary penalty will be applied.
: Can I appeal a penalty?
: You may appeal any penalty to the Departments local office within 10 days. If your appeal is unsuccessful you may lodge a further appeal to the Independent Agriculture Appeals Office.
Any other queries should be directed towards a REPS planner or the Department local office.
REPS 3 farmers must not exceed 260 kg/ha of nitrogen (chemical and organic) on the farm, or 170 kg/ha of organic nitrogen. They must maintain all animal housing, feed storage and waste storage facilities in a leak proof and structurally sound condition.
All necessary animal housing and waste storage facilities to meet REPS requirements must be in place before the first winter after acceptance into the Scheme.
All necessary fodder storage facilities to meet REPS requirements must be in place before the end of the first silage season.
By the start of the first winter they must comply with the REPS Plan in relation to the collection and storage of slurry, farmyard manure, poultry manure and dungstead manure.
From the start of their plan, REPS 3 participants must:
Have adequate collection and storage facilities for dairy washings, silage effluent and soiled water.
Manage the disposal spreading of slurry and effluents in accordance with the REPS Plan and Farmer Handbook.
Store farmyard manure in a compact heap at least 2 metres high, located not less than 50 metres from any water body, public road, domestic well or watercourse and 300 metres from any public water supply source. They can only store FYM on land between January 16 and September 30 in the same year.
Lime and chemical fertilisers (Nitrogen and Phosphorous) must be applied in accordance with the REPS Plan.
Unless adequate effluent collection facilities are in place, do not store baled silage more than 2 bales high.
Do not share animal housing or waste storage facilities or silage facilities.
Outside of farmyards, do not store or open baled silage within 20 metres of watercourses and water bodies or within 50 metres of wells.
