April 29, 2021 5:13 pm
The exclusion of organic farmers from the Rural Environmental-Agri Pilot Programme (REAP) “sends the wrong message”, according to one farm organisation.
The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) argued that it was a “step in the wrong direction” not to include farmers in the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS).
Fergal Byrne, the ICSA organics chairperson, said today (Thursday, April 29): “We cannot continue to send out a message that those doing most for the environment will be at a disadvantage when it comes to allocating environmental supports”.
“This is something that will absolutely have to be addressed in the design of the flagship agri-environment scheme in the new CAP.”