Scheme cuts will take thousands from farmers

Drystock farmer Pat Murray is facing a fall in income of €1,560 next year because of cuts to farm schemes by the Department of Agriculture.

Mr Murray, from Gorey, Wexford, was one of hundreds of Irish Farmers’ Association members who protested outside the Department of Agriculture yesterday at the closure of the suckler cow welfare scheme and cuts to the disadvantaged areas scheme, the sheep grassland scheme, and Farm Assist.

Pat Murray has 40 suckler cows and 100 ewes. The ending of the suckler scheme will mean huge losses for him as will cuts to the sheep grassland scheme and cuts to Vat on sales.