Western farmers withdraw co-operation

By Paul Mooney

The compensation on offer to Shannon Callows farmers is not adequate for the restrictions placed on their farms, says Galway farmers Charlie Killeen and Tom Turley.

They have withdrawn co-operation from the Department of Environment on all issues relating to SPA designation and have put up notices telling officials to keep off their lands. They have the support of other Callows farmers, they say.

The central demand of Callows farmers is that they be allowed enter the designated part of their farm into National Scheme of compensation run by the Department and at the same time put the remainder of their farms into REPS. They are not looking for double payment on any land.

Their argument is that REPS by itself does not offer sufficient compensation for the restrictions on their Callows land. The National Scheme can give higher payments - but is only offered for their designated land, not the remainder of the farm. So, they claim, neither scheme by itself offers them reasonable compensation for the restrictions they face.

They reject the statement from the Department of Agriculture that EU rules block farmers in REPS from having parts of their farms in separate environmental.

"Farmers in Northern Ireland are allowed put different portions of their farms into different schemes,'' said Meelick, County Galway drystock farmer Charlie Killeen. "So, it's just an Irish Government rule.''

He now wants the Department of Agriculture to ensure that the new REPS 3 scheme, awaiting EU Commission approval in Brussels, clears the way for REPS participants to have different part of their farms in the two schemes.

The restrictions are severe, he points out. The earliest date at which designated meadows can be mown for hay is now 10 August. Charlie has 140 acres of Callows land and is in REPS.

"That has to be done over the next few weeks - before the scheme is finalised in Brussels,'' said Clonfert, County Galway farmer Tom Turley. "We had problems with REPS 1, they told us they would be sorted out in REPS 2. There weren't. Then we were told they would be addressed in REPS 3. "There are only about 6,000 hectares of Callows land owned by about 2,000 farmers,'' he said.

"We have been told in recent days that there will be a REPS top up for the Corn Crake areas,'' he said. "They cover about one sixth of the total Callows area and face the most restrictions. We welcome any move - but it must cover all SPA land. ''

Callows farmers are not allowed farm their land at will, he says. The land is environmentally sensitive, important for many diverse species including the Corn Crake. Tom is involved in suckling and sheep.

If he could get acceptable compensation on his designated land he would love to enter the remainder of his holding into REPS. "Many Callows farmers are not in REPS because of these difficulties,'' he says. "I would say two thirds of them are not.''

The two farmers acknowledge that farmers on hill commonages and elsewhere also farm under designations such as SAC.

"The difference is that the restrictions placed on us are more severe and the land here is very productive,'' they claim.