IFA Call on Minister Coveney to Intervene on Outstanding Reps 4 + Aeos Payments

Following a meeting with senior department officials, IFA Rural Development Chairman Tom Turley has described as unacceptable the fact that over 2,000 farmers are still owed their final 25% of 2010 REPS 4 payment and 6,000 AEOS farmers have still not received their payments for last year.

Mr Turley said, “It is time for Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney to intervene on the matter with his Department as the delays are causing serious financial problems on the farms affected. It is not acceptable that administrative delays are holding up payment from schemes that were applied to nearly 18 months ago.”

The IFA Rural Development Committee Chairman said the Minister must take hold of the situation and deliver on his promise that these payments would be paid earlier this year. IFA estimates that around €12m is owed to 11,000 REPS 4/AEOS farmers for works carried out under their environmental plan in 2010.

Mr Turley said these payments must be paid immediately. He said “the Minister must ensure that all of the REPS/AEOS payments due for 2011 are paid out in the current year.”