Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 December 2021
189. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has given consideration to including measures related to hedgerows as an element of the proposed non-productive areas and landscapes eco scheme; the proposed measures; the proposed measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60707/21]
View answerEco-Schemes are being proposed for the first time as part of the next CAP and they must be funded from within Pillar 1 of the CAP budget. The aim of Ireland’s Eco-Scheme will be to reward farmers for undertaking actions beneficial to the climate, environment, water quality and biodiversity. I have decided to allocate 25% of Ireland’s Direct Payments envelope to Eco-Schemes annually, which equates to approximately €297 million per annum.
Eco-Schemes are mandatory for Member States but voluntary for farmers. Ireland's Eco-Scheme will be delivered in accordance with Article 31 of the CAP Strategic Plan Regulation and will be costed in accordance with Article 31 (7) (b) and based on cost incurred and income foregone. Farmers will apply annually for Eco-Schemes from 2023 on at the same time as they submit their BISS application.
There are currently eight agricultural practices within Ireland's Eco-Scheme. A farmer must undertake two agricultural practices to receive their Eco-Scheme payments. The current eight practices are: -
Space for Nature
Extensive Livestock Production,
Limiting Chemical Nitrogen Usage,
Planting of Native Trees and hedges
Use of a GPS-controlled fertiliser spreader and or GPS controlled sprayer,
Soil Sampling and Appropriate Liming on all eligible hectares,
Enhanced Crop Diversification, and
Sowing of a Multi Species Sward.
In terms of measures relating to hedgerows, existed hedgerows will count towards a farmers "space for nature" in Agricultural Practice 1 whether that is 4% for conditionality or 7% or 10% for Eco-Schemes. Where a farmer delivers 10% Space for Nature features on their farm, that will be counted as two actions for Eco-Schemes. This agricultural practice will ensure a value is attached to all qualifying features including hedgerows that make up GAEC 8 or "Space for Nature".
Hedgerows are also an integral element of Agricultural Practice 4 Planting of Native Trees and or Hedges. Farmers can opt to plant three native trees per eligible hectare or one metre of hedgerow per eligible hectare. Where a farmer selects to plant twice the commitment, i.e. six trees per eligible hectare or two metres of hedgerow per eligible hectare, that will count as two actions for Eco-Schemes.
My Department is currently in the process of finalising the design of the Eco-Scheme for inclusion in Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan which must be submitted to the European Commission by 31 December 2021. I have been very clear that Eco-Scheme actions must be straightforward and practical for farmers.
In addition, the actions must be administratively straightforward for farmers and for my Department to ensure that Eco-Scheme payments can issue promptly.
My Department must also be able to audit and control all agricultural practices so that effective reassurance can be provided that this EU funded scheme is being properly run. Crucially the actions must deliver positive environmental benefit.
