Open the gate plea for GLAS farmers

AGRICULTURE Minister Simon Coveney has been called upon to ‘open the gate’ for 2,500 farmers who have been prevented from joining the GLAS environmental scheme.

So far, 38,000 farmers have been approved for the scheme, but across the country another 2,500 farmers (including a cohort from Galway) – categorised as Tier 3 applicants – have not been accepted into GLAS.

According to Galway IFA Rural Development Committee Chairman, Eamonn Burke, those farmers needed to get the green light for entry into GLAS (Green Low-carbon Agri-Environment Scheme over the coming weeks.

“Unless this group of Tier 3 farmers get approved this Spring, then it will mean that they won’t get any payment from GLAS in 2016.

“We feel strongly that any farmer who wants to join GLAS and who is willing to fulfil the requirements and conditions of the scheme, should be approved as soon as possible,” Eamonn Burke told the Farming Tribune.

Flor McCarthy, National IFA Rural Development Chairman, said that the refusal of Minister Coveney to let these 2,500 farmers into the scheme amounted to a backtracking on the commitment he had given in the Budget.

“Telling these 2,500 farmers that they can apply later in the year for the next phase of GLAS will result in these people getting no payment in 2016,” said Flor McCarthy.

Minister Simon Coveney said that in his future plans for the GLAS scheme, a further tranche would be launched in Autumn, 2016.

“Those who were unsuccessful this time around are free to apply again or indeed to upgrade their applications to increase the chances of success.

“This new tranche will build on the success of the scheme to date and  will continue to support Irish farmers who are committed to protecting and nurturing environmentally sensitive areas as part of their farm enterprises,” said Minister Coveney.