The primary target areas for the results-based scheme are the drained peatlands in the midlands region.\ David Ruffles
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Minister of State for Agriculture Pippa Hackett has launched an open call seeking locally led proposals for a rewetting scheme on farmed peatland. The call will focus on the drained peatlands in the midlands region and seeks proposals for the development and implementation of a scheme to target climate action on peatland under agricultural management.
The primary target areas for the results-based scheme are in counties Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath.
Consideration may be given to proposals that deal with peatlands in other regions of the country, the Department has said.
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It is understood the scheme will run for two years. Measures in the scheme will include water table management, appropriate grazing regimes and the restoration of riparian areas to protect and enhance the peatland carbon pool and benefit water quality and biodiversity.
Designated areas
Priority will be given to farms in the following order:
Farms with cutover drained organic soils that are in designated areas.
Farms with cutover drained organic soils.
Other farms adjacent to cutover drained organic soils.
The deadline for proposals to the Department is 5pm on Friday 23 October 2020.
The IFA has urged caution on the proposal by Minister Hackett to extend the locally-led agri-environment programme to the rewetting of peatlands, as it could lead to the sterilisation of land that has been brought into production over the past 30 years.
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Minister of State for Agriculture Pippa Hackett has launched an open call seeking locally led proposals for a rewetting scheme on farmed peatland. The call will focus on the drained peatlands in the midlands region and seeks proposals for the development and implementation of a scheme to target climate action on peatland under agricultural management.
The primary target areas for the results-based scheme are in counties Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath.
Consideration may be given to proposals that deal with peatlands in other regions of the country, the Department has said.
It is understood the scheme will run for two years. Measures in the scheme will include water table management, appropriate grazing regimes and the restoration of riparian areas to protect and enhance the peatland carbon pool and benefit water quality and biodiversity.
Designated areas
Priority will be given to farms in the following order:
Farms with cutover drained organic soils that are in designated areas.
Farms with cutover drained organic soils.
Other farms adjacent to cutover drained organic soils.
The deadline for proposals to the Department is 5pm on Friday 23 October 2020.
The IFA has urged caution on the proposal by Minister Hackett to extend the locally-led agri-environment programme to the rewetting of peatlands, as it could lead to the sterilisation of land that has been brought into production over the past 30 years.
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