Patricia Ryan
Ceist:684. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the opening date for the REPS II scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2342/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 20 January 2021
Ceisteanna (684)
Freagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government commits to rewarding farmers for adapting to more sustainable methods of farming. The Programme commits to the development of a new user friendly, agri-environment scheme capable of delivering broad environmental and biodiversity benefits that will align financial supports with climate objectives. The Programme also commits to the implementation of a results-based pilot project to operate in the transition period between the end of the current CAP and the commencement of the new CAP.
The aim of this pilot project is to identify a suitable agri-environment results based scoring system and trial this system at a national level with a view to identifying upscaling potential for possible inclusion in the next national agri-environment scheme.
The details of this pilot project including the application process and payment rates are currently being considered by my Department. I expect the project to be open for applications by the second quarter of 2021.