Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate a matter of major concern, namely, the terrible plight of hill farmers, who are being threatened with up to 40% reductions in REPS payments, and the threat that it poses to all farmers with commonage and SAC land under area 8 application, who are forced to be in either REPS or the national compensation scheme. That is discrimination of the highest order, since the new REPS in non-designated areas increased REPS payments by up to 30%, whereas farmers in commonages and SACs are facing a reduction of up to 40% and are not eligible for extra measures. The net loss to 2,500 County Mayo farmers will be €6.1 million, which will result in many more farmers leaving the land.

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