Criticism of the “REPS 2” pilot scheme is mounting, even before it has been officially unveiled.

Farm organisations believe politicians have oversold the new scheme and are piling pressure on the Government to deliver on their promises.

The proposed scheme is “nothing like REPS and is designed to fail”, president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association Pat McCormack said this week.

McCormack said the new scheme would be “admin-heavy”, with payments for farmers set to be well below expectations.

It is vital that financial details are released

The previous REPS scheme paid farmers up to €10,000 but its successors have failed to put money in farmers’ pockets in the same way.

The total budget, along with the number of farmers that will be accepted, is yet to be revealed.

It is vital that financial details are released, Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association president Colm O’Donnell said, as this will determine payment rates for farmers.

The IFA has been vocal in recent months with its demand for an agri-environmental scheme that will deliver a base payment of €10,000.

A pilot scheme will run over the next two years to trial a results-based approach ahead of the new CAP in 2023.

Read more

New REPS nothing like original and designed to fail - ICMSA

Clarity sought on new REPS budget and farmer numbers