Farm leaders welcome REPS III

Farm leaders have welcomed the announcement by Agriculture and Food Minister Joe Walsh that the EU Commission will agree the new REPS III scheme next week.

IFA president John Dillon called on the minister to ensure farmers can avail immediately of the new scheme as the delay in implementation to date has caused them much frustration.

He said under the long overdue scheme, payment rates will be €200/ha on the first 20ha, €175/ha on the next 20ha and €70/ha on the next 15ha for a new top payment of €8,550.