Suckler cuts to hit Galway and Mayo farmers
They have 6,151 and 5,522 farmers respectively taking part in the scheme, more than one-fifth of the national total. Other counties with large participation are Clare with 3,788, Cork with 3,595, Donegal with 3,192, and Roscommon with 3,187.
Participants will get the full €80 per cow scheme payment for qualifying cows in 2008/09. But in the subsequent four years, payment could be as low as €40 per cow, if participation of the owners of 960,000 cows continues. Payment to herd-owners may also be delayed by up to 12 months.
