Dear Madam - My small holding of 12 acres attracts a very small single farm payment which used to amount to about £379.
I do consider myself an active farmer because I am involved in improving the land, fencing, gates, rush control, drainage etc.
Now Agriculture Minister O’Neill wants me to submit my receipts to prove this.
Not a problem because I have these but the brilliant bureaucrats in Derry also stipulate that the accounts must be signed by a registered accountant who will charge me £200 for the service.
This will cut my subsidy by half which means this is simply a punitive measure to try and force small farmers out of the system.
I note the Minister of Agriculture is a member of Sinn Fein who make great play of supporting the most vulnerable in our society - well I would inform the minister that I am a vulnerable farmer who is about to become more so because of her actions.
I think I will have to write to the European Bureaucrats to get justice and civil rights for myself and others like me.
Yours Sincerely Cathal Bui
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