EU ministers agree reduction in single-farm payments

Irish farmers could be set to lose out on tens of millions of euros in payments due to the latest reforms in EU subsidies, according to the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA).

The association says planned changes to the single-farm payment scheme could cost Irish farmers €42m.

The changes are believed to have been agreed by EU agriculture ministers during talks in Brussels today.

The ministers are also understood to have agreed an increase in milk quotas.

The IFA says it is disappointed that Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith has agreed to the reduction in single farm payments, which have already been eroded by inflation since their introduction in 2003.