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Can a new entrant in 2015 submit a GLAS plan?
GLAS applications are based on the herd number and land parcel information submitted on the 2014 SPS claim. A new entrant will be apply for GLAS in a later tranche, once they have submitted a valid 2015 BPS application.
I'm currently applying for a new herd number and want to lease land for a minimum of five years. Does this lease need to be stamped by the Property Registration Authority? Or will a lease drawn up and signed and witnessed by all parties involved be sufficient?
GLAS applications in the current tranche are based on the herd number and land parcel information declared and confirmed on your 2014 SPS claim. If you are a new entrant and didn’t make a 2014 SPS claim, then you will not be able to apply for GLAS until after your 2015 BPS application is submitted and accepted.
In any event, a GLAS participant must have control of the land for the entire duration of their GLAS contract and must make a valid BPS application each year.
Can farmers who wish to apply this year to become organic farmers, apply to GLAS as Tier 1 organic farmer?
Yes, they can.
How long do organic farmers need to be registered as such?
They must continue to be registered as an organic producer for the duration of their GLAS contract.
If I choose the action ‘protection of watercourses from bovines’, am I allowed to include watercourses which are already fenced, but may need to be re-fenced? Also can I include fenced watercourses which were required to be fenced in previous agri schemes like REPS, where the fences are still fit for purpose?
Yes – measure is to protect watercourses for duration of contract. All watercourses on the holding must be fenced if taking this action.
Are watercourses on land which is leased for duration of the GLAS contract eligible for submission under ‘protection of watercourses from bovines’?
Yes
If the watercourse is internal with the applicants land touching both sides, will they be paid the €1.50 on each side?
If the parcels are grassland and the person has bovines, then they will be paid for both sides.
I have a watercourse that has water in it 90% of the time, but it is not registered on the GLAS mapping system. Can I still put down for protection of watercourses from bovines?
If a water course does not appear on the GLAS mapping system, then it cannot be chosen for the protection of water courses from bovines action.
If there is any sign of heather at all in a pasture for LIPP, does this automatically exclude the farmer from this option?
If a parcel has heather it is not eligible to draw down payment in GLAS as a LIPP parcel.
Are capital allowances included in the payment rates?
Capital allowances are included in the payment rates and will not be paid separately.
Do you have any questions you want us to answer? Email your query to GLAS@farmersjournal.ie
Read more on GLAS
Concerns that not all farmers will get into GLAS
GLAS advisor focus: Breian Carroll of Carroll Consultancy
Getting into GLAS - the four measures to look at first
GLAS advisor focus: Michael Maloney of Maloney and Associates
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