Farm schemes could be delayed to May

The European Commission has been urged to speed up adoption of national rural development programmes, because they may be delayed until May, 2015, if not ready for adoption by December 31, 2014.

EU farmer and co-op groups warned that procedural reasons relating to revisions of the EU budget (Multiannual Financial Framework) will hold up any approvals which extend into the New Year.

In Ireland’s case, this could delay access by farmers to the GLAS environmental scheme, TAMS grants, the Beef Data and Genomics Programme, LEADER, discussion groups and farm advice, the Organic Farming Scheme, collaborative farming, the willow and miscanthus bio-energy scheme, and local projects such as the Burren Farming for Conservation Scheme.