35,000 families hit if €200m cut from agri-environmental scheme payments

Almost 35,000 farm families would be severely impacted, if €200 million is cut from agri-environmental scheme payments, said IFA vice-president Jer Bergin.

Mr Bergin outlined his concerns in a meeting with the Taoiseach Enda Kenny last week. He repeated those views at last night’s IFA rally in Mullingar.

The IFA presidential candidate said the decisions the Government makes between now and Christmas will determine the level of funding for the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme, and consequently the livelihoods of farmers and the viability of many rural areas.