GLAS payments update

Last week, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed told the Irish Farmers Journal that there is no definite end date in sight for those farmers who are owed almost €30m in the first 85% tranche of GLAS money.

This week, a spokesperson from the Department said there will be a further 950 applicants receiving payment imminently, leaving 6,300 the number of farmers still awaiting payments.

GLAS III

GLAS III acceptance letters were issued to 12,500 farmers this week.

The letters inform farmers that if they wish to withdraw from the scheme, they must do so in writing by 28 February 2017; otherwise, it is taken that the offer is accepted.

The commencement date for entry into the scheme is 1 January 2017 and ends 31 December 2021.

The Department says accepted farmers will shortly receive an information pack containing an application summary, maps of the actions selected, a copy of the scheme specification and a copy of the scheme terms and conditions.

Deadlines

Farmers entering in the third tranche of GLAS should note the upcoming deadlines to complete actions they selected in their plans.

For example, any farmer who selected the wild bird cover action must sow the crop annually by 31 May, according to the Department.

Similarly, farmers who chose the protection of water courses from bovine action, or bird, or bat or bee boxes actions, must have the actions completed by 31 May 2017.

Hedgecutting and coppicing deadline

The deadlines for coppicing and laying of hedgerows for farmers in GLAS I is next Tuesday 28 February 2017.

Farmers participating in GLAS II have more time to complete the action, with a deadline of 30 November 2017.