Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
2113. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all farmers on offshore islands are eligible for the agri-climate rural environment scheme; the stream that they should apply to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40948/22]
View answerThe new agri-environment climate scheme, to be known as the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (‘ACRES’), is currently with the EU Commission for approval as part of Ireland’s draft CAP Strategic Plan. Some €1.5 billion in funding has also been committed to the proposed scheme over the lifetime of the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Details of the draft scheme were announced on 21st June 2022 to facilitate preparatory work by advisors.
As announced, there will be two entry approaches in the proposed new scheme namely:
- An ACRES General approach, available nationally (outside of the high priority geographical area as defined for the ACRES Co-operation approach), which offers a range of measures (both targeted and general); and
- An ACRES Co-operation approach, available to farmers in defined high priority geographical areas. Eight areas in the country have been defined by a cross departmental working group as having particular environmental characteristics and farmers in those areas may engage in the new ACRES through cooperation project teams, which have appointed.
With reference to the specific question, I wish to reassure you that, as was the case in the Green Low Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (‘GLAS’), all farmers, who apply for the Basic Payment Scheme, will have access to the proposed new Scheme. No area has been excluded. Farmers will be able to identify the ACRES approach for which they are eligible by logging on to my Department’s online system (AgFood) or by sending a SMS to 50124 with the text “DAFM ACRES” followed by their Herd ID.
