THE ACRES scheme is the most demanding of its kind across Europe and could impact negatively on how farmers respond to future environmental projects, it was warned this week.

Over the past year, farming representatives have pressed for changes in the scheme to make it ‘more workable and practical’ – and especially so with ACRES Co-operative.

The Agri-climate and Rural Environmental Scheme has this week been described by the INHFA – the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association – as being the ‘most demanding and ambitious of its kind in the EU’.

The INHFA attended a recent meeting organised by MEP Luke Ming Flanagan where the ‘nuts-and-bolts’ of the ACRES scheme were examined in detail.

National President of the INHFA, Vincent Roddy, said it emerged from the talks that Ireland’s ACRES programme is only one of four results based programmes across the EU with Commission official describing it as ‘the most ambitious’.

“This high ambition is creating major problems for farmers in Ireland especially those operating in ACRES Co-operative areas,” said Vincent Roddy.

He added that similar type schemes in three other EU countries – Germany, Spain and Slovenia – were primarily rewards based as against the penalty type system which operated in Ireland.

“These schemes in those countries are unlike what we have in Ireland where farmers are penalised, often for issues outside of their control, such as invasive species and the cutting of turf by people that have an established turbary right,” said Vincent Roddy.

The INHFA President also claimed it emerged at the discussions with the EU Commission officials that Ireland had flexibility in dealing with some of the more contentious issues in ACRES faced by Irish farmers.

“Ireland has flexibility with regard to the development and implementation of the ACRES Programme. This is an important point as we move into a national review of the ACRES Programme.

“For the INHFA the scorecard and rates of pay especially for farmers on commonages are just two of a number of factors we will be looking for changes on,” said Vincent Roddy.

He added that Ireland’s desire ‘to be the best in the class’ was not only impacting negatively on farmers’ incomes but was also undermining farmer confidence in any future agri-environmental scheme.

Pictured: Vincent Roddy: Flexibility is there to be availed of.