GALWAY TD HITS OUT AT STOCK DENSITY CHANGES IN FARM SCHEME

Date Published: 16-Aug-2012

Galway farmers with limited stock levels last year risk losing their Disadvantaged Area payments if they fail to respond to Department letters issued this week.

That’s according to Galway West TD Eamon O’Cuiv who says the matter arises as stocking density eligibility for the payment has now been increased restropectively.

Farmers can appeal the department’s decision based on constraints on stocking levels should their land be designated as an SAC, SPA or NHA.

They may also seek a derrogation based on their participation in the REPS or AEOS scheme or if their land is located in marginal areas such as the Maam Turks/Twelve Bens Complex.

The deadline to take this action is by tomorrow week August 24th.

Deputy O’ Cuiv says the change is unfair given recent weather conditions and has called on the Minister for Agriculture to abandon the process and revert to stocking levels of 2011.