Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022
854. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the expected costs relating to advisers and consultants a farmer is expected to incur in the process of taking part in the Agri-Environment Climate Measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11413/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland's draft CAP Strategic Plan ##2023 – 2027, which lists the range of interventions currently being proposed, was submitted to the EU Commission on 31st December 2021. One of the intervention proposed therein is an agri-environment climate measure (AECM).
€1.5 billion has been allocated to this flagship agri-environment scheme which will be the successor to the Green Low Carbon Agri-environment Scheme (GLAS) which was available under Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. This is aimed at delivering benefits for the environment as well as delivering a key income support for farmers.
It is proposed that, similar to GLAS, a requirement of the new AECM will be that each applicant must engage the services of an approved agricultural advisor to prepare and submit application on his/her behalf.
The selection and engagement of an advisor is, however, a personal business arrangement between the applicant and their advisor. The Department has no role in determining fees or any other aspect of the arrangement.
