Wicklow farmers deserve clarity

NATIONAL Farm Forestry Chairman Pat Collins said he has scheduled a meeting with Coillte to get an update on the work undertaken to ensure that any concerns that Wicklow farmers have with their partnerships are being addressed and there is greater transparency on the models used to calculate annual payments.

Mr Collins said it is very important that the ongoing management issues with the partnerships are resolved to the farmer’s satisfaction and that all outstanding payments issue as quickly as possible.

‘Farmers entered into the Farm Partnership contracts in good faith; they saw Coillte as an extension of the Government. It is important, if trust is to be restored, that there is greater transparency on the models used to calculate their annual payment so farmers understand how their crop was valued’, said Mr Collins.

He encouraged Wicklow farmers who had issues with their Coillte Farm Partnership contract to get in contact with Coillte.