IFA welcomes extension to knowledge transfer deadline

IFA Rural Development Chairman Joe Brady has welcomed the extension of the deadline for completion of the first year of Knowledge Transfer requirements by two months to July 31st. He said IFA had been in touch with the Department of Agriculture on numerous occasions over the past month on this issue.

Joe Brady said, however, that farmers must not be victims of the difficulties the Department of Agriculture has had with its IT systems, and Knowledge Trasfer payments must not be delayed later in the year.

20,000 farmers are due a yearly payment of € 750 for participation in the Knowledge Transfer scheme over a 3 year period.

Given the difficulties that have plagued the Knowledge Transfer scheme since it commenced, IFA is now calling on the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed to instigate a review of the scheme, as promised by the Department of Agriculture to the IFA some months ago.