Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024
982. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is giving consideration to providing flexibility around deadlines under ACRES, for measures such as such as submitting soil samples, establishing wild bird covers and fencing margins/riparian zones, given the challenging weather conditions causing difficulty for farmers in meeting current deadlines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14498/24]
View answerConditions that may impact on the implementation of actions under the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) are monitored and considered by my Department on an ongoing basis.
Amendments to deadlines for the implementation of certain actions have recently been made in recognition of the current weather and land conditions.
As adverse weather in recent months has created difficult ground conditions to allow the capturing of suitable soil samples for analysis, the deadline for the uploading of valid soil samples or soil sample exemption forms for ACRES Tranche 1 participants has been extended to 31 December 2024. This was advised to ACRES advisors by ACRES Circular No.10 of 2024 on 22nd March 2024.
An exemption has also been provided in relation to the shallow cultivation required as part of the “Environmental Management of Arable Fallow” action as adverse weather in recent months has created difficult ground conditions in many areas to allow any cultivation to take place. The exemption is as outlined in ACRES Circular No. 11 of 26th March 2024 which was also sent to ACRES Advisors.
Copies of both Circulars are available on my Department’s website.
While my Department continues to monitor ground and weather conditions, there are currently no further plans to amend the specifications for any other ACRES actions.
