The deadline for applications to the ACRES scheme has been extended for two weeks, the Irish Farmers Journal understands.

Advisers and farmers had raised serious concerns that there was not enough time to submit ACRES applications before the original deadline of 21 November.

The deadline will now be extended to 5 December in an effort to ease pressure on advisers submitting plans.

ADVERTISEMENT

It is understood that Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue rang both the public and private advisory services on Wednesday to inform them of the extension.

There are 30,000 spaces available for ACRES in 2023. However, 20,000 farmers are likely to be unable to enter the scheme next year.