Penalty points system ‘unworkable’

FARM leaders have described Agriculture Department proposals to introduce a penalty point system for breaches of conditions of the new EU single farm payment (SFP) as unworkable and bureaucratic madness.

The IFA has called for the direct intervention of Minister Mary Coughlan to sort out the contentious issue, while the ICMSA has accused the department of negotiating in bad faith.

IFA deputy president Ruaidhrí Deasy said the minister had told them only last week there would not be a point system in place to determine penalties under the SFP.