Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2022
877. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to concerns by farmers regarding a new scheme (details supplied); if clarity can be provided on the benefits of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51812/22]
View answerThe Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is the agri-environment climate measure which forms part of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027. ACRES is the third ‘layer' in the Green Architecture model under the new Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) and is a voluntary scheme whereby farmers, when approved into the Scheme, undertake certain actions on their land for at least 5 years – with those actions going beyond conditionality and the voluntary eco-scheme. Farmers may apply for one of the approaches available under ACRES, namely the ACRES General approach or the ACRES Co-operation approach depending on the location of their holding. Using a habitats-based approach, delivered through both prescription and results-based actions, ACRES will contribute to improving biodiversity, climate, air, and water quality outcomes.
The Government has committed €1.5 billion to the Scheme over its duration, which is the largest amount ever committed to an agri-environment scheme. I consider that the rates of payments available to farmers under each of the approaches to be attractive, with a maximum annual payment of up to €7,311 to a participant in ACRES General while a participant in the ACRES Co-operation approach could receive up to €10,500 in a given year. Payments offered under the Scheme were costed in accordance with the governing EU Regulation - that is, on the basis of additional costs incurred and income foregone resulting from the commitments made and transaction costs. The payments were calculated using the most up to date information available at time of preparation of Ireland’s draft CAP Strategic Plan, with all costings subsequently independently verified.
One of the requirements of the Scheme is that applications, and the accompanying Farm Sustainability Plan, must be prepared and submitted by an approved ACRES advisor. The rates such advisors charge their clients for this work is a matter for the farmer and his/her advisor. My Department, in advance of the formal opening of the Scheme, provided training, by way of in-person events and an update webinar, to agricultural advisors on the proposed Scheme, with a significant volume of reference material make available on my Department’s website. In addition, there was an online farmer information meeting. There are also webinars and tutorials available on my Department's social media platform for advisors to access and view as and when required.
Each approved ACRES advisor will work with their clients to choose the most appropriate actions for their holding with a view to maximising payments and to ensure these actions are in the most appropriate locations. Participation in the scheme is voluntary and participants may be subject to inspection as required by EU regulations.
