Two Mayo Fine Gael TDs have spoken out against the “short-sighted” decision by the Government to suspend entries to REPS 4 for farmers who are about to complete REPS 3.
Deputy Michael Ring said the Government decision will leave 3,679 Mayo farmers out in the cold in the coming years. “The effect of this in the rural economy will be devastating with an average payment of €6,500 being denied to farmers. This scheme is a crucial form of income for farmers who are experiencing hardship due to poor prices, bad weather, and ever increasing output costs,” he explained.
Calling the decision a “major blow for farming communities”, Dep John O’Mahony added: “Fine Gael has stated categorically that we will maintain participation in REPS at its current level. REPS is co-funded to the tune of 55 per cent by the EU. The new agri-environmental scheme proposed by Minister Smith is sub-standard and will not achieve the same results as REPS did for the rural environment or economy,” he concluded.
