Payments scheme changes to benefit more farmers

CHANGES in the EU’s €370 billion seven-year farm payments scheme could see farmers in the west of Ireland qualify for the same payments as those in the better land of the south and east.

There will be more money for young farmers, small farmers, organic farmers, those on poor land and farmers and producers that want to develop new products and open up new markets.

Farm subsidies worth close to €1.7bn a year to Ireland now account for 80% of the money from the EU and are seen by the government as essential to the future development of the industry.