The €1m multi-species sward scheme, originally announced under Budget 2022, is still in development, according to Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue.

The scheme is a pilot measure aimed at promoting “environmentally sustainable methods of farming and a reduced dependency on expensive nitrogenous fertiliser”, the Minister said in response to a parliamentary question from Sinn Féin’s Matt Carthy.

“It will have a positive impact on climate emissions, biodiversity and water quality.

“This measure is anticipated to contribute to the goals set around the EU Green Deal, including the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies.

"It is an innovative pilot measure which has a proposed target to establish approximately 8,000ha of multi-species grassland (depending on uptake),” he said.

Eco schemes

Under Ireland’s next CAP, one of the eco schemes proposed for farmers is the sowing of a mult-species sward.

The scheme is aimed at reducing chemical nitrogen use and farmers taking part in this option will be required to sow multi-species swards on at least 6% of the eligible hectares within the year.

For example, a farmer with a 32ha farm must sow at least 1.92ha in a multi-species sward.

“If the farmer selects this action in a subsequent year, they must sow a further 6% of their eligible hectares,” according to the CAP document.

Payments will be based on income foregone and costs incurred.

“This practice is targeted at all farmers, but is likely to see greater uptake by more intensive farmers,” the plan states.