Tags: Cork, Ireland, Michael Creed, politics, REPS, rural economy

Michael Creed

FINE Gael agriculture spokesperson and Cork TD Michael Creed has described as “short-sighted” the government decision to suspend entries to REPS 4 for farmers about to complete REPS 3.

Speaking on a parliamentary question Deputy Creed said, “The Government decision to suspend entry into REPS 4 from REPS 3 will leave 32,465 farmers nationally out in the cold in the coming year. 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 currently stretched across sectors by poor prices, bad weather and ever increasing output costs.

“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-Environment scheme proposed by Minister Smith is substandard and will not achieve the same results as REPS did for the rural environment or economy.”