Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 March 2021
1014. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if afforestation initiatives will be included in the pilot agri-environment scheme being developed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12830/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to rewarding farmers for adapting to more sustainable methods of farming and to the development of a new agri-environment scheme capable of delivering broad environmental and biodiversity benefits that will align financial supports with climate objectives. To advance this objective, funding has been made available for an agri-environment pilot project. It is proposed to do this as a results-based project in order to align it with the principles of the next CAP.
The aim of this pilot project is to identify a suitable agri-environment results based scoring system and to trial this system at a national level with a view to identifying upscaling potential for possible inclusion in the next national agri-environment scheme. Under the results-based model, farm holdings with the highest scoring receive the greatest payment.
The details of this pilot project are currently being considered by my Department. A public consultation process ran from 29th January to 26th February and the submissions received are currently being reviewed. I expect the project details to be available and the application process to open in the second quarter of this year.
