Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
2148. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that farmers finishing on an existing environmental scheme in 2022 have the opportunity to participate in the new agri-climate rural environment scheme in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41357/22]
View answer2149. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a farmer in one of the co-operation project zones under the agri-climate rural environment scheme will have the opportunity to access ACRES General; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41358/22]
View answer2150. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that there will be adequate capacity in the new agri-climate rural environment scheme to enable all potential applicants' avail of this scheme in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41359/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2148 to 2150, inclusive, together.
The Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (‘ACRES’) is the name of the proposed agri-environment climate measure which has been proposed as part of Ireland’s draft CAP Strategic Plan which is currently with the EU Commission for approval.
Using a habitats-based approach, delivered through both multi-functional prescription and results-based actions, ACRES aims to contribute significantly to achieving improved biodiversity, climate, air and water quality outcomes. These will be achieved through the 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.
All farmers, who apply for the Basic Payment Scheme, will have access to the proposed new scheme. A farmer may only apply for the ACRES General approach if their holding falls outside of the high priority geographical area as defined for the ACRES Co-operation approach. 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.
For prudent financial management and budgeting purposes, it is necessary to set a defined limit for the funding to be committed to each scheme. €1.5 billion in funding has been committed for the proposed ACRES scheme over the lifetime of the next CAP - the largest single investment by any Government in an agri-environment scheme. The budget allocation will facilitate the participation of 50,000 participants in ACRES overall. While this is similar to the number in the Green Low Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) which was available under the Rural Development Plan 2014-2020, it should be noted that a higher maximum level of payment is proposed. It is currently envisaged that the split will be 30,000 participants in ACRES General and 20,000 participants in ACRES Co-operation – this will, however, be ultimately subject to the level of interest in each approach.
It should be noted that approval for Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan is awaited from the EU Commission, so all of the proposals may be subject to change and will be subject to the annual budgetary cycle. I look forward to engaging with farmers and advisers later in the summer in advance of the scheme formally opening.
