IFA Rural Development chair Flor McCarthy has called on Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney to pay farmers the full €1,250 for participating in knowledge transfer groups. The Minister has proposed that farmers get €750, while the facilitator, either Teagasc or a private planner, will get €500 for each participating farmer, up to a maximum of 15 farmers (10 in the case of poultry).

McCarthy wants pig and hill sheep groups added, and that mixed farmers be allowed join two groups, as is currently the case.

“The proposed payment is much higher than farmers are currently paying planners under BTAP, STAP and DEP in a competitive environment,” said McCarthy. “The payment should be €1,250, with farmers paying the facilitator a competitive rate for the work done.”