Farmers receive bad REPS advice
He has expressed serious concern that REPS planners are advising farmers, in the REPS 2 plan, to stay with their existing plan rather than joining the new REPS 3 scheme.
Mr Divilly said it was clear planners were endeavouring to maximise their fee income as, under REPS 2, there are five planner visits as opposed to two under the new REPS 3 scheme.
IFA is urging farmers in REPS 2, who have the opportunity to move to REPS 3, to demand their planners transform their plans into the new scheme so they can avail of the higher payments.
He said that already 2,500 farmers, who were not in REPS 2, had joined the new REPS 3 scheme since June 1.
So far, only 3,000 farmers have transformed their plans from REPS 2 to REPS 3. This is mainly due to the failure of planners to encourage farmers to join the new scheme.
However, a further 14,000 REPS 2 farmers could join the new scheme and avail of higher payments but have so far not done so.
IFA is advising these farmers to contact their planner with a view to signing up to REPS 3.
He reminded farmers that under the new planning arrangement for REPS 3, the planner has to visit the farm on two occasions in the course of the five-year plan. This, compared with five visits under REPS 2, the initial plan visit, and four anniversary visits.
Therefore, joining REPS 3 will certainly save farmers in planning fees.
Mr Divilly said any concerns expressed as to the future of REPS had been fully allayed.
