Galway farmers oppose GLAS scheme proposals

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Galway farmers are urging the Minister for Agriculture to address outstanding concerns relating to the new Rural Development Programme. Following a 4-hour meeting in Tuam this week, the Irish Farmers Association says it will not accept a proposal made by Minister Coveney on the new GLAS scheme. Minister Coveney is proposing that 50% of farmers on commonage land would have to agree to participate in the new GLAS scheme. However, the Minister has also stated that no active farmer will be excluded if he cannot get the 50% agreement on his commonage. In addition, Minister Coveney says scheme will not open until September 2015 – but the IFA wants it to be implemented by the end of the year. In a statement to Galway Bay fm news, the secretary of the Connemara IFA John King says the IFA on a national level has ‘sold out' hill and commonage farmers by agreeing to the government's proposals for the GLAS scheme. The statement says the IFA has changed its position, and agreed to the 50% collective agreement. However, IFA Connacht Regional Chairman Tom Turley disagrees and says the organisation will continue to urge the minister to review his proposals.