November 29th 2014

A large contingent of West Cork farmers led by ICSA West Cork chairman Dermot Kelleher protested today outside Minister Coveney’s constituency office in Carrigaline.

Speaking afterwards, Mr. Kelleher said that the purpose of the protest was to highlight the severe LPIS overclaims issue which is particularly impacting on farmers in West Cork. “There is a huge sense of anger among the farming community of West Cork due to the severe penalties imposed on many West Cork farmers due to the LPIS review. The vast majority of penalties relate to subjective calls on scrub, trees, habitats and various other types of marginal land. It is a fact that the LPIS review had the greatest impact on farmers in disadvantaged areas, who can least afford any financial penalties.”

“Our demands are straightforward,” continued Mr. Kelleher. “We simply want Minister Coveney to come to West Cork to see for himself the devastating impact of LPIS cuts on the ground in this area.”