LPIS penalties may be challenged legally
At a meeting in Bantry organised by the West Cork branch of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA), and the West Cork Communities Alliance, ICSA West Cork chairman Dermot Kelleher said the alleged overclaims are seen as an unfair attack on farmers in disadvantaged areas.
“While there is a Department appeals process, the whole process is unjust because farmers are essentially being penalised for farming marginal ground. In addition, the prospect of retrospective penalties is outrageous and cannot be contemplated.”
West Cork farmers recently met ICSA to discuss the merits of a legal challenge, and it was agreed that a fundraising campaign would be required to cover all possible approaches to the problem.
ICSA has already brought the issue to Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney, and to EU Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan.
