Huge support for campaign urging flexibility on ANC rules

Ireland must avail of EU flexibilities on classifications prior to the publication of new ANC maps, the IFA has urged the Department of Agriculture.

IFA rural development chairman, Joe Brady, has urged the department to make a case for areas to qualify under the new criteria by also classifying them based on agricultural output, stocking rate, permanent grassland, and farming systems, as well as areas with other specific constraints which can be up to 10% of the area of Ireland.

At a meeting with the Department of Agriculture in Portlaoise, Mr Brady said it is important that all facts are taken into account prior submitting ANC maps to the EU Commission.