Wexford farmers are fighting their mass exclusion from the new ANC scheme.

While 2,200 new townlands were included in the scheme nationally, 720 were removed, meaning almost one-third of the farmers removed come from just one county.

“We’re told that there is funding in place for successful appeals without affecting the payments to people who are already in the scheme” said Ned Rea, the Wexford rural development chair. “We are meeting farmers in branches around the county and helping them prepare their appeals.”

Appeal

Farmers have until mid-May to appeal. The 60:40 rule, where 60% of the land in a townland must be deemed to have a natural constraint for any of it to be included in the scheme, is seen as the main stumbling block for farmers where land quality can vary wildly in a relatively small area.

The IFA will host a CAP/ANC meeting in the Brandon House Hotel, New Ross, next Tuesday at 8pm.