Coveney must lobby Europe for land penalties amnesty, says IFA boss
He said the doubling of penalties since 2012 had angered farmers who had previous claims accepted.
He said Mr Coveney has to make it clear in Brussels that it is unacceptable that land deemed eligible previously, and paid on by the department, is now considered ineligible. The IFA wants the minister to negotiate an amnesty with the European Commission to remove retrospective penalties.
“Farmers having to make adjustments to the 2013 application is one thing, but retrospective penalties are not acceptable. And all land available to the farmer must be allowable to reduce any eligibility problem.”
The IFA says there should be no deductions until a farmer has been given the opportunity to appeal. The farmer group wants planners, such as Teagasc and private consultants, to stand by farmers to resolve any problem on land eligibility.
“Farmers should insist that the planner service, which they have paid for, takes responsibility for helping address any land eligibility issues,” said Mr Bryan.
“The department must also assist farmers to fairly and quickly resolve genuine problems on land eligibility so farmers are not penalised.”
