On Tuesday, in Dublin Castle, An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, announced that the new national agri-environment scheme, proposed as part of Ireland’s draft CAP Strategic Plan, will be known as the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (‘ACRES’).
It is proposed that, like GLAS, all farmers will have the opportunity to apply for ACRES. There are, however, two entry approaches in the proposed new scheme, namely:
- An ACRES General approach, available nationally; and
- An ACRES Co-operation approach, available to farmers in defined high priority geographical areas. Eight areas in the country have been defined by a cross department working group as having particular environmental characteristics and farmers in those areas may engage in the new AECM through cooperation project teams. The Burren geographical area is one of these high priority areas.
Under this scheme High Nature Value Services Ltd (working as Burren Programme) has been awarded the contract for the Burren geographical area. This programme will be called the Midwest CP, as it will include more than what is traditionally called the Burren. It will include the Aran Islands and parts of Galway, up to Slieve Aughties. Please see the map here for the full extent of the Midwest CP area.
For the full press release click here.
Expressions of Interest in the Burren geographical area, ACRES Co-operation
If you are interested in becoming a participant of this new ACRES Co-operation and are within the Midwest CP area noted on the map, please complete this form or contact us at Burren Programme office on 065 7089000 or info@burrenprogramme.com