Scheme can aid leisure industry in countryside
So says Agricultural Consultants Association president Paddy Fitzsimons, pointing out that REPS 3 helps farmers to provide the required environment for countryside pursuits.
Hill walking, forest trails, nature trails and fishing are but a few of the leisure activities fostered by the recently launched third phase of the Rural Environment Protection Scheme.
“We must provide a green, clean countryside to encourage visitors to our shores, before getting the opportunity of expressing our hospitality and friendliness which is still very much part of our culture and encourages people to come back on a regular basis”, said Mr Fitzsimons.
He urged farmers to participate in REPS 3, to be “inside looking out, rather than outside looking in.”
He said €260m is available for participating farmers, but REPS 3 is worth €8,550 for an individual farmer on 55 hectares (136 acres).
This is equivalent to the earnings from 20,000 gallons of milk quota, 20 hectares of grain, 10 hectares of sugar beet, 30 suckler cows, or 20 hectares of forestry.
And REPS 3 means reliable and predictable income into the future for each five year term - despite the great uncertainty in farming after the Mid Term Review.
He welcomed greater harmonisation with forestry in REPS 3, and said agricultural consultants are ready to deliver an efficient and cost effective REPS 3 service, now that an electronic mapping system and planning system developed in association with Teagasc is running successfully.
“The Department of Agriculture must encourage, support and facilitate intensive dairy farmers in their endeavours to join REPS 3.”
