Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan/Monaghan Brendan Smith has urged the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney TD to clarify the details of the new Agri-Environment Options Scheme without delay.
“The new Agri-Environment Options Scheme which was conceived and developed by the last Government has been announced. Following on from the very successful REPS, Irish farmers need to be encouraged and supported in their commitment to farming in an environmentally friendly way.
“The Minister was due to announce details of the new Agri-Environment Options Scheme last week but local farmers had to wait until now and there are still several points which require clarification.
“Fianna Fáil in Government provided sufficient funding so that 10,000 farmers could apply to take part in the Scheme in 2011 and receive a maximum payment of €5,000.
“However, the Minister is now only offering farmers a maximum payment of €4,000 and has not confirmed how many farmers will be able to take part. Only €24 million is being given to the scheme this year. At a payment level of €4,000 this would equate to only 6,000 applicants.
“The 2011 Estimates for the Department Agriculture, Fisheries and Food provided €337 million for REPS and A.E.O.S, which was actually an increase of €7 million on the 2010 allocation of €330 million. This was clearly outlined in the Department’s statement at Budget time. It is clearly untrue to suggest that financial provision was not made for the scheme.
“Minister Coveney must clarify how many farmers will be eligible for the scheme and why only €4,000 will be awarded as the maximum payment. Farmers deserve the answers without delay so they can plan their finances and prepare their applications.
“I know that cash-flow is one of the biggest challenges facing farmers so it is very unfair to reduce their expectations in this regard.
“In the last Budget, the Government committed to retaining the payment levels for all of the main agricultural schemes including this Agri-Environment Options Scheme. Fianna Fáil recognises that farmers and farm families form the backbone of our rural communities and need to be supported financially. The Minister must act now in support of farmers across the country,” concluded Deputy Smith.
