€3bn plan to protectrural Irish landscape

A €3 BILLION scheme to protect the rural landscape, increase biodiversity and improve water quality was launched yesterday by Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan, who described it as a massive investment in farming and the environment.

The latest Rural Environment Protection Scheme will be known as REPS 4. It will run until 2013 and will encourage farmers to enhance the environment through a range of actions. These include a reduced use of fertilisers and pesticides, aimed at contributing to lower greenhouse gas emissions as well as improved water quality.

The new scheme was approved by the European Commission at the end of last month as part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme.