Top-Up payment for Mayo hill sheep farmers

In 2006, the Owenduff/Nephinbeg Special Area of Conservation was introduced in Mayo and farmers were obliged to adhere to a series of agri-environmental measures to comply with a judgement in the European Court of Justice in 2002.  These agri-environmental measures resulted in additional associated costs being imposed on the farmers affected.

“I am delighted to learn from Minister Jimmy Deenihan that for the next two years farmers in the affected areas who are in REPS or in the AEOS are going to get an additional €2,000 per annum as a Top-Up payment.  Farmers participating in the National Parks & Wildlife Scheme (NPWS) will get €65 per ewe on the first 100 ewes and €55 per ewe on the second 100 ewes, with total payments being capped at €12,000.  The total cost of the package is €555,000 per annum for the next two years.”

“I had held a number of meetings with Minister Jimmy Deenihan seeking specific assistance for hill sheep farmers in the Owenduff/Nephinbeg areas.  These farmers have had to deal with increased costs for a number of years since the inclusion of their lands in the SAC.  I am delighted that Minister Deenihan has now come up with a package to alleviate the associated costs incurred by these hill sheep farmers,” concluded Minister Ring.