IFA Call for Additional Department of Agriculture Information Meetings to Support Hill Farmers

IFA Hill Committee Chairman Pat Dunne has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney that the Department will hold a series of five information meetings to clarify his new commonage rules and explain the implications for farmers.

However, Pat Dunne has also called for additional meetings to be held around the country to ensure that the Department of Agriculture facilitates the maximum number of farmers and explains the new rules.

Pat Dunne said, “It is essential that every effort is made by the Department to address farmers’ concerns and hold extra meetings where required”.

He encouraged farmers to attend the Department meetings and get information on the new commonage rules and the GLAS scheme.

The IFA Hill Chairman restated his call on Minister Coveney to get the GLAS scheme up and running as soon as possible, with the necessary flexibilities. “No barriers must be put in the way of the effective implementation of GLAS and early approval from the EU Commission is now urgently required. Also, the upcoming Budget is a real test of the Government’s commitment to the new GLAS scheme as adequate funding must be provided so that payments can be made in 2015.”