Farming groups in war of words over land-access deal

A war of words has broken out between two of Ireland's main farming organisations over a new deal that will see farmers getting paid for allowing walkers on their lands.

The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) said yesterday that it had reached a deal with the Government that would see farmers receive annual payments for maintaining and developing walking routes.

However, the Irish Cattle and Sheepfarmers Association (ICSA) is claiming that it and other farming groups actually negotiated the deal a number of months ago.

The ICSA is accusing the IFA of claiming credit for the agreement in an effort to "crawl their way back into Comhairle na Tuaithe".