News that a key farmers' supports scheme has been delayed until next year has been described as a major blow to Clare's rural economy.
Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has told the Irish Farmers Journal that September 2015 is the likely start date for the new agri-environmental scheme, GLAS.
This means some farmers won't receive money for the first time until early 2016, even though many were banking on it as a replacement for monies they had received under REPS.
Meanwhile, Minister Coveney has held talks with his Northern Ireland counterpart Michelle O’Neill, about the potential opening of the live trade to Northern Ireland.
This is seen as a key development for the thousands of suckler farmers in Clare, who are looking for an extra market to boost demand for their produce.
