Farm groups want investment scheme

THE IFA and the Irish Farm Building Contractors Association have called for the immediate introduction of the new Farm Investment Scheme to allow farmers meet the requirements of the Nitrates Directive.

IFA deputy president Derek Deane said the scheme is anxiously awaited by thousands of farmers and called on Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan to ensure it is available up to at least the end of 2008.

Mr Deane said the minister must highlight to the EU the practical difficulties that will exist if the scheme is only available up to the end of this year, as farmers need time to do the work.