FRS Network has received over 100 applications after advertising for new staff to carry out GLAS planning. This comes after the co-op won the tender to supply this service to Teagasc for the latter’s farmer clients.

According to Peter Byrne, chief executive of FRS, the role will involve providing farmers with GLAS planning services, nutrient and sustainable management plans and meeting farmers on-farm and in Teagasc offices. Training on the new scheme will be provided by the Department of Agriculture, he said. Many of those applying for the positions have already taken one of the training courses on the scheme that have already been held by the Department for planners.

In line with the Department’s requirements for approved planners, FRS is seeking applicants with qualifications in agricultural science or land management with soil science and crop production or animal production. The new planners will generally operate from FRS’s 22 offices countrywide. Meetings with farmers will take place in Teagasc offices, followed by farm visits.

Farmers wishing to have a GLAS application drawn up will arrange this via their local Teagasc office and pay Teagasc for the service. The FRS planners will complete the GLAS plans and submit to DAFM on behalf of the farmer client, to a very high standard said Peter Byrne.

“We will have our own quality control system in place,” he added.

For details go to www.frsnetwork.ie/glas-scheme.