SENATOR Paudie Coffey, Fine Gael’s Environment spokesperson in the Seanad, has hit back at the Government’s decision to discontinue the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS). The scheme, which was designed to reward farmers who carry out their farming activities in an environmentally friendly manner, will now be closed off to new applicants.
“There is real concern throughout rural Ireland over the discontinuation,” Senator Coffey said.
The scheme is estimated to be is worth €8,500 annually on average to farmers around Ireland. If discontinued, Senator Coffey predicts this will push many farming families over the poverty line.
While other Eurozone countries are planning to safeguard the scheme the Fianna Fáil/Green coalition has withdrawn it in what Senator Coffey says is a “short-sighted attempt to make ends meet”. He has called on the Government to reverse its decision in the interest of sustaining jobs.
