EU funds must be used to protect environment
However, despite €2.18 billion having been paid out to farmers under various agri-environment schemes in Ireland between 1994 and 2006 (and more since), these schemes have failed in their objectives.
That is the view of An Taisce, the national trust. An Taisce believes that the agri-environment schemes have failed to deliver sufficient protection for Ireland’s biodiversity and that they have not ensured that ecosystems can support a vibrant agricultural sector in the long term.
