Sir, - With reference to the article by Kevin O'Sullivan on water pollution from farms and the Rural Environment Protection Scheme, on August 9th, and a letter from Kevin Mannering on August 14th: it must be remembered that the REPS scheme has only been in existence for two years, during which time 18,000 farmers have joined the scheme. It is expected that by the end of 1997 up to 40,000 will be enlisted, and the Irish Farmers Association is in no doubt that improvements to the environment will materialise over the next number of years as a result of the REPS scheme.
However, it is unfortunate that the scheme has been brought into disrepute due to delays in making second instalment payments. Delays of up to nine months on payments estimated at £16m are totally unacceptable but it is hoped that this matter will be resolved shortly.
In addition to this, 18,500 farmers have applied for the Control of Farmyard Pollution Scheme, which unfortunately has been suspended since April 27th, 1995 due to an unwillingness by the Government to provide extra financial resources. IFA estimates that a further 10,000 farmers who wish for such investment grants in order to upgrade their environmental controls on their farms, are currently locked out of the scheme.
I would like to clearly point out that farmers themselves have invested hugely in environmental controls. It is estimated that £200 million has been spent over the last three years on environmental protection on farms.
With regard to phosphate levels on farms, IFA has been recently involved with the Department of the Environment and the Department of Agriculture in drawing up the code of good agricultural practice to protect Ireland's waterways. This code of practice will ensure that there is proper use of organic and inorganic fertilisers, so that optimum levels required on farms are used.
Hopefully this clarifies the position and puts the Rural Environmental Protection Scheme and Environmental Control on farms in to a much clearer perspective.
-Yours, etc.
Deputy President, IFA,
Irish Farm Centre,
Bluebell, Dublin 12.