REPS farm plans won’t be changed

FARMERS who are already in the Rural Environment Protection Scheme will not need to amend their plans when the new Nitrates Regulations take effect from February 1, Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan made clear yesterday.

She said they may, however, need to make adjustments to their farming systems such as storage for animal manure, restrictions on spreading periods and overall fertiliser limits.

“I want to reassure REPS farmers as a whole that they will not have to go to the trouble of amending their farm plans,” she said.