There are probably just as many difficulties with the smaller schemes as there are with the direct payment schemes which are worth €1.8bn annually to Irish farmers.

IS the world going to end in 2012?

PAYMENTS under REPS 4 have commenced, Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith has announced, with over €33 million being issued to farmers in the last week.

FARM leaders have criticised European Commission changes to the payment system for the new Rural Environment Protection Scheme — REPS 4.