Appalling weather conditions this spring have forced the IFA to formally request a derogation for tillage farmers from the three-crop rule for this year.

The difficult spring and the absence of suitable planting conditions have forced IFA’s grain chairman, Mark Browne, to call for this derogation from the three-crop rule, which applies to most tillage farmers under greening obligations in the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS).

Weather conditions continue to make it impossible to get crops planted.

“Very little sowing was done during winter, it’s April now and the rain is still falling. Farmers are under extreme pressure as time is running out for crops like oats, beans and spring wheat,” Browne said.

While going fallow is an option under the scheme, Browne said this was not a realistic option for most farmers, who only want to produce crops. Having products to sell remains the major basis of farm income.

The IFA grain committee is asking Minister Creed to engage with the EU Commission and Commissioner Phil Hogan to seek a derogation for this year.

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