Coughlan urged to back EC plan

Ireland: IFA president John Dillon has urged Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan to back European Commission proposals to change the criteria for classifying disadvantaged areas.

He said the EU is proposing that for areas to be classified as disadvantaged at least 60% of the utilisable agricultural area in the District Electoral Division must be in permanent pasture.

This gives scope to the minister to increase disadvantaged areas in Ireland as a significant part of the country would meet the criteria, he said.

Mr Dillon said the disadvantaged areas scheme was worth €235m to more than 100,000 farmers.