Padraig Walshe said the issue of payments to farmers who are in REPS 2 & 3, and who are moving into REPS 4, must be clarified immediately as there is a lot of uncertainty among farmers and planners as to how to deal with the scheme.

“A feature of REPS since it was first introduced in 1994 has been the early payment at the start of each year of the 5-year contract. This early payment system is vital in encouraging farmers to join the environmental scheme and helps to meet the high cost at the early stages of the Plan. These costs include planner costs, capital investments and general compliance with the Plan,” said the IFA President.

“Furthermore reduction in inputs (fertilisers and chemicals) leads to a loss of income, which must be immediately compensated for as the farmer has committed to farming to a higher standard than normal Good Farming Practice,” said Mr Walshe.

Mr Walshe commented that the “IFA prioritized the REPS scheme in the Partnership negotiations in 2006. The outcome of the Partnership Agreement resulted in a 17% increase in payment rates, an improved environmental scheme with significant capital investments being made by farmers.”

Mr Tom Turley, IFA National Rural Development Chairman said “The objective in the Partnership Agreement and the 2007 – 2013 Rural Development Plan is that up to 70,000 farmers will be in the scheme by 2010. This is a very ambitious target and I have no doubt that it will be achieved if farmers are confident in the payment arrangement. This has to involve the continuation of the early payment system.”

---