Where a farmer applied for Agricultural Practice 4 – Planting of Native Trees and/or Hedgerows under Ireland's Eco-scheme, they must plant the trees and/or hedging between 01 October 2022 and 30 September 2023. A total of 1,570 farmers have applied for this action with the commitment to plant 3 trees per eligible hectare or 1 metre of hedgerow per eligible hectare where the action is taken as a standard action. Where the farmer takes the action as an enhanced action, they must plant 6 trees per eligible hectare or 2 metres of hedgerow per eligible hectare or 1 metre of hedgerow and 3 trees per eligible hectare.
Farmers were not required to map the location of the native trees/hedgerows as part of their 2023 BISS application process but they will be required to map the location of the native trees/hedgerows as part of their 2024 BISS application. The native trees and hedgerows must be maintained for the duration of the 5-year CAP programme 2023-2027. Receipts must be maintained for the duration of the programme.
My Department does not intend to extend the deadline for planting of native trees and/or hedgerows in the 2023 Eco-scheme under Agricultural Practice 4.
