Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 November 2021
746. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to ensure that the final version of CAP payments include recognition of hedgerow quality as a potent means of capitalising on the carbon and biodiversity values of these landscape features. [57613/21]
View answerWork on Ireland’s draft CAP Strategic Plan is ongoing. However, I can confirm that the proposals include elements designed to improve hedgerow quality and, hence, the contribution hedgerows are making from a carbon storage and biodiversity perspective.
The flagship multi-annual Agri-Environmental Climate Measure proposed for the CAP Strategic Plan will include specific, prescription-based, actions for new hedgerow planting and, where necessary, hedgerow rejuvenation by coppicing or laying. In addition, for two results-based field actions (low input grassland and multi-species leys), farmers will be rewarded for the quality of hedgerows and treelines.
In considering recognition for hedgerow quality, it is important to acknowledge that hedgerows exist in many forms across Irish farms, contributing across a range of carbon and biodiversity values.
The EPA and my Department are currently funding the “Farm Carbon” research project. It is investigating the carbon sequestration potential of different types of Irish hedgerows.
My Department’s Farm Environmental Study Programme is due to commence next year with the objective of developing a national baseline database of farm scale habitat and biodiversity data, along with additional environmental parameters. This database will provide the scope for a comprehensive analysis of farm habitat quality and biodiversity. It will also provide baseline data to inform future targeting of agri-environmental schemes and measures.
