Brendan Griffin
Question:1312. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38529/23]
View answerMonday, 11 September 2023
Questions (1312)
Written answers
The Agri-climate, Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is my Department’s flagship agri-environment scheme under the new CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027. The Scheme will support farmers in their efforts to tackle the challenges in climate, biodiversity, and water quality. ACRES Co-operation Project (CP) introduces a “whole farm approach”, which means the entire holding is part of the scheme for its duration. All owned forage land is included in the application, and any owned or leased land may be included if it is under the herd owner’s control for the five-year contract.
Habitats identified on the holding in the first half of 2023 will be scored over the summer and early Autumn. The score achieved will dictate the payment rate for Year 1, as set out in Annex 2b of the Scheme Terms and Conditions, indicating the reduced rates for those also in the Organic Farm Scheme.
A maximum payment of €10,500 annually is available to ACRES CP participants (€7,311 for those in the General approach). Seven thousand euro is ring-fenced for results-based payments, with the additional €3,500 set aside for Non-Productive Investments (NPIs) and/or Landscape Actions (LAs). Therefore, a total of €52,500 is potentially payable to a participant in ACRES Co-operation project over the five years of the Scheme.
The purpose of NPIs and LAs is to improve the quality of habitats and, accordingly, the scores achieved. My Department is, with the assistance of the Co-operation Project Teams (CP Teams), currently compiling a list of NPIs. Participants in the CP Zones will have the assistance of CP Teams, who will meet and discuss with farmers how best to use NPIs on their holding in order to ensure that they can secure the full €10,500 payment per year.
The person named was approved into ACRES earlier this year, with their letter setting out the parcels in their application, including their approval for the Conservation of Rare Breeds action.