'Left in the dark' - Pat Chambers expresses disappointment in treatment of farmers

Belmullet local election candidate, Pat Chambers, has expressed his disappointment in the recent treatment of farmers over the ACRES Scheme, parcel scoring, and Non-Productive Investment (NPI) applications.

Famers within the ACRES scheme were promised up to €10,500 each year across a five-year period but received nothing across the first year.

Pat Chambers has been campaigning for the ACRES payments to be issued for a number of months now, saying: “Farmers are working day and night and are completely in the dark about when the balance of payments will arrive.

“In regard to the land scoring and the NPI approvals, we are hearing nothing. The NPI applications were closed last December, but it may be late summer before the approvals will be issued. Us farmers cannot be left in the dark about things that concern us.

“Cashflow pressures are mounting on hill farms after the tough spring, with input costs rising, and with all of this going on the outside, we are facing unprecedented stress levels about the future of our farms.

“I call on the people in charge to make sure effective solutions are put in place, to ensure that this process is sped up.” 

Chambers urges everyone to go out and vote on June 7th, saying: “We need more representation for farmers on Mayo County Council. Someone who will represent the hard-working farmers from across the county, who in recent years, have been forgotten about. I hope that person can be me.”