A frosty take on roll-out of ‘new REPS’

THE new agri-environmental scheme – part of which is due to start being rolled out this Autumn – has been given a frosty reception by farming representatives.

Called the Agri-Environmental Climate Measure (AECM), it will replace GLAS (Green Low Carbon Agri-Environmental Scheme) in the new CAP (Common Agricultural Policy), which is due to start up in January, 2023.

According to IFA President, Tim Cullinan, the new AECM scheme has ‘little or nothing in common’ with the original Rural Environmental Scheme (REPS).

“This new scheme is extremely complicated. It will exclude many farmers, and huge amounts of funding will leak to people running the co-operation model,” said Tim Cullinan.

National IFA Rural Development Chairman, Michael Biggins, also warned that the new scheme ‘cannot be limited’ to just 50,000 farmers: “It must be open to all farmers who wish to participate,” he said.

The first tranche of AECM is due to open in Quarter 4 of 2022 – between October and November – with Tranche 2, due to open in Quarter 4 of 2023. Concerns have also been expressed of a possible ‘lag’ between farmers currently in GLAS who will be aiming to join the new AECM.

“Not accepting all participants into the scheme in 2023 is simply unacceptable. GLAS/AECM payments are a critically important part of farmers’ incomes.

“It is essential that all applicants under all tranches receive a payment in 2023 and the scheme cannot be limited to 50,000 participants,” said Michael Biggins.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App

Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.

Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.

Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite  HERE.

Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.