Michael Lowry
Question:373. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the policy analysis or reasoning for the introduction of FEPS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35157/21]
View answerWednesday, 30 June 2021
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Since 1994, it has been compulsory for each EU member state to have Agri-Environment Schemes. These are the primary mechanisms through which farmers are financially rewarded for farming in an environmentally friendly manner above that required for the Basic Premium Schemes, aiming at maintaining and protecting biodiversity within the farmed landscape.
Irish Agri-Environment Schemes evolved over the years from the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS 1-4) to the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) and currently the Green Low Carbon Agri-Environment (GLAS) Scheme. REPS was a whole farm scheme which paid farmers an area-based payment for carrying out environmental actions in accordance with a plan specific to their farm. Successor schemes, such as the current GLAS are not whole farm schemes. Successful applicants must choose appropriate options, some of which are area-based.
The Forestry Environment Protection (Afforestation) Scheme (FEPS) was set up to encourage farmers to combine the establishment of high nature value woodland with their participation in REPS which was in operation at the time. FEPS was entirely exchequer funded and participating farmers were eligible to receive an annual premium for a period of five years, in addition to the regular forestry premiums that were available under the Afforestation Scheme, provided they were approved under the REPS Scheme.
Forestry plantations established under this Scheme had to meet full silvicultural standards for the production of a commercial crop of timber while making an enhanced contribution to the environment. A minimum area of 8ha needed to be planted by a participating farmer under the Scheme.
The Scheme aimed at encouraging farmers to establish and maintain high nature-value forestry through measures such as increasing biodiversity, protecting water quality, supporting habitats for wildlife, and increasing woodland cover.