Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:626. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if GLAS 1, 2 and 3 funding will rollover into 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62711/21]
View answerThursday, 16 December 2021
Questions (626)
Written answers
As I advised after the Budget in October 2021, we succeeded in maintaining all of the crucial farm schemes, one of which was the Green Low Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS), the contracts under which were due to conclude on 31st December 2021.
The provision of funding enabled my Department to offer participants in the three tranches of GLAS, (namely GLAS 1, 2 and 3) with eligible contracts an extension of those contracts to 31st December 2022. Eligible participants received information packs in November 2021 conveying the offer and the ways in which they could apply to extend their contracts by the deadline of 10th December 2021. I am pleased to note that some 91% of those participants have applied to extend their contract.
This level of uptake is subject to change as more offers are issued as more contracts become eligible following outcome of appeals and completion of transfers.
The continuation of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) schemes, including GLAS, delivers on our commitment to support farmers in the delivery of environmental and climate commitments while supporting farm incomes and rural economies.