Jackie Cahill
Question:1947. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the list of requirements to qualify for payment under the eco-schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62991/21]
View answerWednesday, 19 January 2022
Questions (1947)
Written answers
Eco-Schemes were included in the EU CAP Strategic Plan Regulation for the first time as part of the next CAP (2023-2027). Under the Regulation, they must be funded from within Pillar 1 of the CAP budget. In line with the CAP Strategic Plan Regulation, I have decided to allocate 25% of Ireland’s Direct Payments envelope to the Eco-Scheme annually, which equates to approximately €297 million per annum.
The Eco-Scheme is intended to reward farmers who undertake actions that are beneficial to the climate, environment, water quality and biodiversity. This annual scheme will be voluntary for farmers and to qualify for payment, they will have to undertake specific agricultural practices on their farms. The intention is that farmers can apply for the Eco-Scheme at the same time as their Basic Income Support Scheme application from 2023 onwards.
The Deputy will be aware that Ireland's draft CAP Strategic Plan was submitted to the European Commission on 31st December 2021. The draft plan including the details of Ireland's proposed Eco-Scheme is now being considered by the EU Commission and is subject to Commission approval.
The list of eight agricultural practices proposed by Ireland is set out below, with a farmer having to undertake two agricultural practices to receive an Eco-Scheme payment, which will be a per hectare payment.
1 - Space for Nature
At least 7% of a farmer’s holding must be devoted to biodiversity, habitats or landscape features, building on the 4% requirement for all farmers set down as part of Conditionality (under Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition No. 8). Where a farmer commits 10% or more of his/her holding to “Space for Nature”, that will be counted as two actions, and will qualify the farmer for a full Eco-Scheme payment.
2 - Extensive Livestock Production
For a farmer to qualify, the stocking rate on the farm for the previous year must fall between a minimum (0.15 Livestock Units per Hectare) and a maximum (1.5 Livestock Units per Hectare) value. Further administrative and on-the-spot checks in the year of Eco-Scheme participation will also take place as required.
3 - Limiting Chemical Nitrogen
To qualify, the farmer must not exceed a certain level of chemical nitrogen usage across the holding in the year of Eco-Scheme participation, based on the stocking rate, or in the case of arable farmers they must limit their chemical Nitrogen usage to 10% below the national average on arable crops i.e. 139.41 kg per Hectare.
4 – Planting of Native Trees/Hedgerows
To qualify, the farmer must plant at least three trees per eligible hectare in the year of Eco-Scheme participation. Where the farmer opts to plant a hedgerow, the commitment will be for one metre per eligible hectare. Where a farmer selects to plant twice the commitment, that is, six trees per eligible hectare or two metres of hedgerow per eligible hectare, this will count as two practices and qualify a farmer for the full Eco-Scheme payment.
5 – Use of GPS controlled fertiliser spreaders/sprayers
Under this practice, a farmer will be required to spread at least 60% of all chemical fertiliser, (compound or liquid) or plant protection products using a GPS controlled spreader or GPS controlled sprayer.
6 – Soil Sampling & Appropriate Liming
A farmer will be required to undertake soil sampling on all eligible hectares. This practice can be chosen once every three years in line with Teagasc guidance regarding the appropriate intervals between soil samples being taken and the farmer must apply lime if recommended.
7 – Planting of a Break Crop
The planting of a break crop will require that at least 20% of the arable area of the holding in the year of the commitment is planted with prescribed break crop(s) of either Oilseed Rape, Oats, Peas and Beans or a combination of one or more of these crops.
8 – Sowing a Multi-Species Sward
Under this practice, a farmer will be required to sow multi-species sward on at least 6% of the eligible hectares in the year the farmer selects this agricultural practice.
All Eco-Scheme agricultural practices must go beyond the conditionality requirements laid down in the EU Regulations and must take account of national legislation. Therefore, for example, agricultural practice 3 (limiting chemical Nitrogen) will not be available to Organic Farmers as they are already prohibited from spreading chemical fertiliser.
I have been clear in the need to have a straightforward, practical Eco-Scheme that will ensure that my Department will be in a position to make payments on an annual basis to farmers, while also ensuring the Eco-Scheme delivers on its objectives in relation to climate, environment, water quality and biodiversity. In relation to the proposed Agricultural Practices, I must emphasise that while they have been included within Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan, they have yet to be approved by the European Commission. My Department will be liaising with the European Commission over the coming months as part of this approval process.