MUNSTER FARMER: Environment Shock rise in number of scheme a farm deaths this year waste of time
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Thursday March 04 2010
THE new Agri Environment Scheme comes as a big disappointment to farmers who will pay more than it's worth to be in the scheme, according to ICSA president Gabriel Gilmartin.
Some of the farm organisations met with Department of Agriculture officials last Thursday to discuss the new scheme.
"The new scheme involves too much cost for too little return. Farmers in SACs and commonage areas will be very frustrated that they will have to employ a professional planner with environmental qualifications despite the fact that we had been led to believe that planning costs would be eliminated from this scheme. Farmers in these areas will be shocked that the SAC rate of €242/ha is being reduced to €75/ha while there will be no 'per hectare' payment for non SAC land," Mr Gilmartin said.
"Many farmers will see their REPS payment reduced by two-thirds to three-quarters. As well as that, there is very little chance that the entire €50 million can be drawn down efficiently. While this scheme provides for a maximum payment of €5,000, many farmers will not be able to qualify for the full amount. The actual payments for each measure are quite small in most cases and involve significant cost," he added.
Mr Gilmartin said the closing date of May 17 will rule out all farmers whose REPS plan concludes on or after that date.
The IFA's Rural Development chairman, Tom Turley, described the new scheme as 'Mickey Mouse' and said farmers will be extremely angry with what is being introduced in place of REPS.
