THE new ACRES environmental scheme came in for scathing criticism at a Connacht IFA meeting this week with farm representatives describing it as being ‘choked with red tape and paperwork’.

Connacht IFA Chair, Pat Murphy, told the Farming Tribune that the scheme had turned out to be ‘a sore disappointment’ for West of Ireland farmers who needed a workable and practical scheme to ensure survival into the future.

“The money is not in the scheme; it’s choked with restrictions and rules; and at the end of the day, there’s no guarantee that farmers will get paid for the actions that they undertake,” said Pat Murphy.

Over 100 people attended the regional meeting in Roscommon on Monday night which was addressed by IFA President, Tim Cullinan and Director General, Damian McDonald.

Concerns were also expressed that not all farmers applying for inclusion in ACRES would ‘get in’ by early next year, due to budget limitations on the scheme.

According to Pat Murphy, the scheme is laden down with ‘bureaucracy and red-tape’ as well as putting obstacles in the way of farmers who were more than willing to embrace the whole principle of a proper environmental scheme.

“But even at this late stage, I still believe that practical changes can be made to the scheme which will make it more farmer friendly.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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