The results-based payment elements of Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) has failed to hit the mark for farmers on Achill island, scheme participants told a meeting of the IFA on Saturday.

Achill IFA’s James Kilbane said that aspects of the ACRES scheme including scoring, commonage assessments and landscape actions had proven to be “dysfunctional” for the unique nature of farming on the island.

“Throughout the meeting, farmers spoke candidly and powerfully about their direct experiences with the scheme,” Kilbane said.

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“Many outlined how ACRES scoring has dramatically reduced expected payments, undermined farm viability and created financial uncertainty.

“Particular concern was expressed regarding the scoring of peatland commonage areas, historic turbary rights, ACRES landscape actions and the disproportionate impact of the scheme on Achill’s uniquely small fragmented landholding structure.”

Concerns

Kilbane suggested that the concerns cited by farmers last week extend beyond just ACRES to encompass wider worries around the long-term sustainability of farming on the island under the next CAP.

“Importantly, the IFA confirmed that Achill would now receive focused attention and that a local operational working group will be supported in developing specific policy recommendations to address the structural inequities identified,” Kilbane said.

The association’s local branch has started to develop a set of proposals aimed at protecting the future of farming on the island.