Several farmers have told the Irish Farmers Journal that their applications to the Department of Agriculture for permission to cut GLAS fallow parcels during the closed period have not yet received a final answer.

Those who made the request last week said Department officials appeared not to be aware of the measure.

In a reply sent to a farmer on Tuesday and seen by the Irish Farmers Journal, the Department wrote that the fallow land derogation was among "a number of proposals to the European Commission aimed at replenishing fodder stocks in advance of the winter period" made by Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed.

Engaged

"The Department is now engaged with the European Commission on these proposals. Further details will be announced in due course,” officials said, adding: "We have not received any updates on this."

Minister Creed told the Irish Farmers Journal on Tuesday 24 July that farmers could ask for a derogation to cut GLAS fallow land during the 1 March-1 September closed period. "My Department is prepared to consider written requests for a derogation from the specifications for this action," he said at the time.

It has now emerged that the measure is not yet available. Time is crucial for farmers hoping to make quality fodder from land left fallow during the recent dry period.

European Commissioner Phil Hogan this Thursday called on “all member states to look into all possible actions and measures provided for in our legislation" to alleviate the effect of prolonged drought across Europe.

The European Commission has said that under existing EU rules, farmers can avail of derogations from agri-environmental schemes in "exceptional circumstances" and lose associated payments, but are not liable to penalties. However, this is only possible in member states that have included such derogations in their initial Rural Development Programmes.

Hogan reply

This does not appear to be the case for GLAS. The Irish Farmers Journal understands that Commissioner Hogan replied this Thursday to Minister Creed's request for a number of derogations, raising hope for a quick resolution on the fallow land action.

ICSA president Patrick Kent also called for permission to wrap bales on low-input permanent pastures under GLAS.

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