Potato farmers losing out

A NUMBER of farmers have withdrawn from potato production because they want to consolidate their Single Payment, according to IFA.

Potato growers who went ahead and consolidated, or "stacked" entitlements, say they have lost up to €17,000 of the annual Single Payment, because entitlements cannot be activated on potato land.

IFA sources have now revealed that they initially welcomed the non-availability of entitlements on potato land, as a way of preventing an influx into potato growing.