Sinn Féin amnesty for ‘good faith’ overclaims

Sinn Féin promises an amnesty and immediate refunds for farmers who made payment claims in good faith but had retrospective penalties levied on LPIS overclaims.

The party would work for simplification of the Beef Data Genomics Programme, and another round of applications. It pledges to restore €5m of Farm Assist and create an additional 500 places on the Rural Social Scheme.

An all-island agri-food label, instant reintroduction of the Groceries Order, and an end to discrimination against rural areas, are all in Sinn Féin’s manifesto. The party vows the Exchequer will make up the shortfall in cuts to LEADER funding.

A Sinn Féin pilot scheme for rural resettlement would provide up to €5,000 in relocation expenses. The party also has plans for special rural communications, transport and infrastructure packages.

It promises regulation of all aspects of wind turbine construction, and retention of the traditional right of families in the West to cut turf to heat the family home. A rejuvenated fishing industry is a prominent manifesto aim.