Disadvantaged area limits penalise Kerry farmers most

OF the 106,427 farmers who claimed disadvantaged area payments in 2007, 35,162 claimed for more than 34 eligible hectares (84 acres) — the new maximum area limit for payments recently introduced for 2009, in order to reduce expenditure.

Co Kerry will be hardest hit in terms of the number of farmers affected by the limit.

Farmers nationwide were paid €28.4 million in the 2007 scheme for areas in excess of 34 hectares, and with the minimum stocking density requirement also increased slightly, Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith aims to save about €37m next year in his department.