INISHOWEN TDs have hit
out at the Government's decision to axe the Agri
Environmental Options Scheme (AEOS) for this year.
The scheme allows for a maximum payment to small
farmers of €5,000.
Fianna Fáil Deputy Charlie McConalogue said he is
"stunned" by the revelations which he said
"demonstrate Minister Coveney’s poor regard for
smaller farmers".
“Farmers across Co Donegal who have recently come
off REPS 3 have made plans based on the reasonable
assumption that they could join AEOS this year. They
have now been left high and dry and are facing a
significant cut in their annual incomes.
“Clearly the funding was available last year to
protect AEOS and retain the maximum payment of
€5,000. It is becoming increasingly evident that
Minister (Simon) Coveney is more concerned by
protecting large farmers instead of the small and
medium sized farmers in Co Donegal and across the
country who are in need of State support.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin TD., Deputy Pádraig
MacLochlainn added: "Only last month when my party
questioned the Minister on the opening of AEOS for
2012 he replied that he wanted to emphasise his
‘commitment to the agri-environment schemes which
put environmentally-friendly farming to the
forefront and which recognise the vital role farmers
play in delivering public goods for the benefit of
all society',"
Deputy MacLochlainn added: "This is a retrograde
step by the Minister. Farmers, especially those in
the west of Ireland, depend on AEOS as a viable
source of income.
"This fresh attack will push more and more farmers
into financial hardship." |
