Many Galway farmers who are now joining the REPS 4 scheme may not receive any payment until late 2009, and even then will be paid in two instalments, according to Deputy Paul Connaughton.
“I have come across a number of farmers who are moving to REPS 4 after completing the full time duration in REPS II, and who are most unsure if they will get any payment at all in 2008,” Dep Connaughton said this week.
The east Galway TD said that of the many changes in REPS 4, the stipulation that is likely to cause most annoyance to farmers is the fact that payments are delayed for periods of up to 18 months from when the initial application is made until the first payment is posted out.
Deputy Connaughton warned this would create financial havoc for many farmers as there is always a need for investment on REPS farms to keep up with the multiplicity of demands required under the scheme.
“Most farmers need to fence, build hedgerows, cut hedges, concrete yards, apply lime and attend to a host of other matters on an annual basis to comply with the rules,” he added.
“For many years the initial payment to applicants on entering the scheme was a major cash flow boost but now there is clearly a blackspot created when all these activities must be paid for while the cheque may not arrive until 12 to 18 months later.”
There are now 6,098 farmers in Galway in REPS, slightly more than half the farmers in the county.
Deputy Connaughton called on Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food Brendan Smith to ensure that unnecessary bureaucracy will not deprive farmers of getting paid quickly and efficiently.
“REPS is perhaps the best scheme ever introduced in Irish farming and its success should not be curtailed in any way,” he said
