An uplands specific category within the new Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) review is both “technically and legally possible”, the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) has been informed.
The news comes after the INHFA met with European Commission and Department of Agriculture officials recently.
In response to a direct question as to “whether the current mountain sheep grazing (MSG) designated areas could be replaced with an uplands specific constraint category”, the response from both the Commission and the Department is that it is an option that could be considered.
Specific constraint
This would mean that these specifically constrained areas would be mapped from the current Less Favoured Areas (LFA), along with the offshore islands without going through the biophysical screening, according to the INHFA.
This option, INHFA CAP chair Colm O’Donnell said, must be considered in the review if the MSG areas were to be diluted in the new scheme.
Department officials agreed with the INHFA that these upland areas have specific constraints that could be clearly mapped, such as Natura 2000 areas, ie Special Areas of Constraint (SAC), Specially Protected Areas (SPA), lands within the Department’s commonage container files and habitat lands of similar character, all of which are currently in the MSG areas.
During the recent regional meetings hosted by the INHFA, politicians backed the retention of the MSG areas as a separate category and that payments must be proportionate to the levels of constraint.
Concluding, O’Donnell stated that all options must be considered as part of the consultation process with stakeholders.
ANC rally postponed
Meanwhile, the INHFA has postponed its rally on the ANC review which was due to be held at 8pm tomorrow night, 26 May, in the Castlecourt Hotel, Westport, Co Mayo.
It comes on the back of the news that the ANC review itself could be postponed until next year.
Creed rejects calls for alignment of hill and island ANC rates
ANC money guaranteed for another year
An uplands specific category within the new Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) review is both “technically and legally possible”, the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) has been informed.
The news comes after the INHFA met with European Commission and Department of Agriculture officials recently.
In response to a direct question as to “whether the current mountain sheep grazing (MSG) designated areas could be replaced with an uplands specific constraint category”, the response from both the Commission and the Department is that it is an option that could be considered.
Specific constraint
This would mean that these specifically constrained areas would be mapped from the current Less Favoured Areas (LFA), along with the offshore islands without going through the biophysical screening, according to the INHFA.
This option, INHFA CAP chair Colm O’Donnell said, must be considered in the review if the MSG areas were to be diluted in the new scheme.
Department officials agreed with the INHFA that these upland areas have specific constraints that could be clearly mapped, such as Natura 2000 areas, ie Special Areas of Constraint (SAC), Specially Protected Areas (SPA), lands within the Department’s commonage container files and habitat lands of similar character, all of which are currently in the MSG areas.
During the recent regional meetings hosted by the INHFA, politicians backed the retention of the MSG areas as a separate category and that payments must be proportionate to the levels of constraint.
Concluding, O’Donnell stated that all options must be considered as part of the consultation process with stakeholders.
ANC rally postponed
Meanwhile, the INHFA has postponed its rally on the ANC review which was due to be held at 8pm tomorrow night, 26 May, in the Castlecourt Hotel, Westport, Co Mayo.
It comes on the back of the news that the ANC review itself could be postponed until next year.
Creed rejects calls for alignment of hill and island ANC rates
ANC money guaranteed for another year
SHARING OPTIONS