The Department of Agriculture has been accused of hammering another nail into the coffin of Clare farmers.
It comes as over 46,000 holdings in this county and beyond are still awaiting their payments under the ACRES Scheme.
Launched last October, the Agri Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) co-operation aims to support farmers in enhancing biodiversity, climate, air, and water quality on their farms.
The programme operates on a three-tiered system.
Tier 1 is the highest priority and includes farmers with land in Natura areas, commonage land, geese and swan areas, high-status water areas, rare breed farmers, and organic farmers.
Tier 2 inlcudes farmers with land in vulnerable water areas, while Tier 3 is open to all other farmers.
It’s understood payments to some farmers will commence on December 18th, but the Department of Agriculture has confirmed that farmers who’ve engaged in co-operation projects may not receive their payments until April.
Clare Chair of the Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers Association and O’Callaghan’s Mills farmer Martin McMahon says farmers are being forced to suffer, due to a broken system.
An East Clare Fianna Fáil Councillor is now calling on the Department to immediately intervene and offer at least 50% compensation to farmers who are depending on these payments.
Under the scheme, successful applicants can receive a maximum payment of €10,500, while a newly published Teagasc report has shown that in 2022, 57% of all farms nationwide had an income of less than €20,000.
Maghera Councillor Pat Hayes says delaying the payments is just another nail in the coffin for vulnerable farmers.
You can listen to the full interview below.
