Lowry Meets IFA Leadership in Dáil

Independent Deputy Michael Lowry has met with IFA President Padraig Walshe and IFA General Secretary Pat Smith in Dáil Eireann to discuss a range of issues regarding agriculture in Tipperary, and Ireland, in general in advance of the upcoming budget.

Among the issues raised was the implementation of a viable replacement for the REPS Scheme, installation aid, falling farm prices and the positioning of agriculture and rural life as an integral part of the recovery of the country.

Of great concern to Deputy Lowry was the fact that by the end of 2009, 10,000 farmers will have completed their REPS 3 plans and have been locked out of REPS 4 since the Minister for Agriculture closed the scheme on 9 July last, with no replacement in place.

Farmers in REPS 4 will remain in the scheme as part of their 5 year plan up

to the end of 2014.

Deputy Lowry said

‘In 2010, it is vitally important that a meaningful REPS scheme is available to the 10,000 farmers who are locked out of REPS 4.

The Minister has indicated that a new agri-environmental scheme will be available with funding of €45m, 75% of which will be made up of modulated funds deducted from farmers Single Farm Payment and some European Economic Recovery Funds with 25% (€11.25m) State funding.

The average payment under the REPS 3 scheme was €6,200. Many of these farmers have made significant financial commitments and had factored in that they would have been in a position to join REPS 4. However, the closure of the scheme by Minister Smith has been a devastating blow to these farmers.

While I am acutely aware of the perilous state of the county’s finances, agriculture remains a lifeblood for Tipperary and I intend to work extensively to try and get the Minister to introduce a viable programme to allow farmers who have been locked out of the current REPS format to enter into a new scheme that will reflect the work of farmers on environmental initiatives.’

ENDS

Further Information: Conor Mulvihill 087-6989501

PHOTOGRAPH ATTACHED- M. Lowry TD, Padraig Walshe & Pat Smith IFA