GLAS and other EU-funded schemes could present a challenge for the National Ploughing Association when it goes looking for the next site for the Ploughing, Anna Marie McHugh told The Dealer.

If a GLAS farmer is interested in hosting the main event or providing car parking, that would constitute a change in use and variation from the GLAS plan. To stay within the rules, the farmer may have to seek derogation from the Department’s environment section in Johnstown Castle. Matters were a bit more simple under the previous AEOS scheme as its plan focused on specific actions and wasn’t a whole farm plan.

Nonetheless, one of the biggest factors for Anna Marie and team when choosing a site is traffic. Any viable site should be just off a motorway route and ideally within easy access of two important motorways. All this makes the Screggan site at Tullamore tempting for a third year.

New eyes in the sky for Department

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GLAS red tape closing in on the Ploughing

Farmers offering car parking would have to seek a derogation from Johnstown Castle.