The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) are keen to hear from tillage farmers from north and east Cork and west Waterford who are interested in taking part in their Farm Plan Scheme.

Results-based payments are on offer for completing measures that enhance biodiversity and support birds such as Yellow Hammers and Sky Larks, and it’s hoped that the initial pilot phase can be rolled out in time to come.

Besides tillage farmers, the NPWS are looking for all types of farmers to fill 200 places on their Farm Plan Scheme, thanks to additional funding.

Farmers with lands in designated sites such as Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas, or people whose lands support habitats and species of conservation concern, are urged to apply.

Up to 800 farm scheme plans have been approved over the last 15 years and they usually last for a five-year duration, with the farmer free to leave at any time.

Application forms can be found online or by contactin Agri.Ecology@chg.gov.ie. The closing date for application is Friday 9 April.