Philip Farrelly fills gap in green scheme advisory services

Veteran agricultural consultant Philip Farrelly has launched a planning service for the Green, Low-Carbon Agri-environment Scheme, filling an advisory gap due to Teagasc being hampered by the embargo on recruitment in the public sector.

Farm planners will provide planning services via a network of accredited planners. Mr Farrelly said it is a regrettable Teagasc has not been allowed to directly provide a planning service for the scheme.

“Teagasc had a 40% share of all REPS plans, which was a major contributor to the efficient delivery of the service. Unfortunately, all Teagasc clients must now migrate to a new planning provider,” he said.

Under the arrangement with Farm Relief Services, Teagasc stands to gain up to €245 on every client it persuades to engage with Farm Relief Services while receiving nothing if the farmer moves to a private planner.

“Is it any surprise that the entire Teagasc effort is now focused on the lucrative business of persuading clients?” he said.

Mr Farrelly’s companies have given services for 6,000 participants in REPS and AEOS. He has carried out the environmental analysis of the FH2020 strategy for the Department of Agriculture, and has been appointed to conduct a similar analysis of the 2025 Agri-Food Strategy.