More SCEP Training Venues Needed – IFA
IFA Livestock chair Declan Hanrahan said the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue must provide more training events for farmers in SCEP.
Only five dates have been announced, all of which are taking place this week, running from 9.30am until 2.30pm. The first was held in the Newpark Hotel Kilkenny today. The Bloomfield House Hotel Mullingar will hold a meeting tomorrow; the McWilliam Park Hotel in Claremorris on Wednesday, the Charleville Park Hotel on Thursday; and Jacksons Hotel Ballybofey on Friday.
Declan Hanrahan said there must be more events provided within easy access for all suckler farmers who are in SCEP and the time the events must be pushed to the afternoon or evening to make it easier for farmers to attend.
Suckler farmers in SCEP must have the training requirement of the scheme completed by Nov 15th to remain in the scheme.
He said large numbers of suckler farmers have raised valid concerns regarding the locations and associated travel times and timing of the meetings
He has called on the Minister to announce further dates and venues to ensure farmers have adequate time to arrange to attend these important events to remain compliant with the scheme requirements.
“in organising the additional venues, the Minister must be cognisant of the areas where the greatest needs are and all farmers must be provided with a number of options within close proximity to their location.”
He said it is not acceptable for the Minister or his officials to expect farmers to undertake long journeys to attend these events as is currently the situation with only five venues.
“There must be a number of venues available to farmers in all counties and the dates and locations of these must be announced immediately to allow farmers make arrangements to attend and avoid the stress of potentially undertaking long and unnecessary journeys to attend one of the events taking place this week.”
He said the SCEP payments are vital for suckler farmers and it is important the Minister ensures there are no obstacles put in the way of farmers in meeting the scheme requirements.
