Councillors call for extension of deadline for agri scheme

An agricultural app is causing problems for farmers trying to access Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) and Cllr Gerry Dolan asked the council to call on the Minister for Agriculture to extend the August 31 deadline. 

AgriSnap is a precision photo app that allows farmers to send land parcel pictures and information to a grant payments body to validate payments.

However, Cllr Dolan said that farmers are having difficulty using the technology.

"All farms in the scheme need to be scored with an app called AgriSnap. The app is giving numerous issues and it's not fit for purpose," he commented.  

He said that pressure needed to be put on the Minister to have "this extended, hopefully for two months."

The motion was supported by several of Cllr Dolan's colleagues.