Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2021
1126. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which the €79 million for agri-environmental pilot measures in the 2021 budget is being spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21276/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI secured an additional €79 million, including €23 million carbon tax, in Budget 2021 to support action in the area of biodiversity, climate, environment and health and safety, all the while supporting farm incomes.
My intention is to allocate the funding as follows:
- Re-opening of the organic farming scheme €5m,
- Straw Incorporation measure (SIM) €10m,
- Agri-environment training for farmers €10m,
- REAP – Results based environment-agri pilot projects €10m,
- Soil sampling €10m,
- Farm Environmental Study €5m,
- TAMS environment €20m,
- Rewetting EIP – €3m,
- Continuous Professional Development for advisors €1m,
- Health and safety initiatives under EIP-AGRI €1m,
- Biodiversity actions for farmers and communities €1.25m and
- Peatland rejuvenation €3m.
EU approval is required and my Department has submitted the tenth amendment to the Rural Development Programme (RDP) to the European Commission for its approval, after which the final allocation of the €79 million funding will be decided.
