The further expansion of my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service farm plan scheme has been restricted as a result of budgetary constraints.
In future my Department will accept new applicants to the scheme based on available funding. Calls for submissions will be announced annually. Applications to join the scheme will be screened on the basis of conservation priorities, biodiversity added value and overall cost. This screening will be undertaken by a steering group within my Department and successful applicants will be allowed to proceed to plan completion stage. Existing plans can continue for their contracted period. No farmers, including farmers completing existing farm plans, will be prohibited from applying to enter the scheme. Farmers will also have the alternative option of applying for the Agri-Environment Options Scheme implemented by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, which has significantly more funding resources available to it than are available to my Department's scheme.
There will be no removal or relaxation of necessary restrictions arising from the designation of lands as Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protected Areas or Natural Heritage Areas.
