The new flagship agri-environment scheme called the Agri-Environment Climate Measure (AECM) will operate through two entry options – a general entry route whereby farmers can opt to select a range of measures for individual farmers and a Co-operation Project (CP) option, which is available to farmers in defined high-priority geographical areas.
The latter option will require farmers to work together with the assistance of a local CP team who will assist in the implementation of the scheme at local level.
The expected uptake in the general AECM entry route is estimated at 30,000 farmers with these accepted over at least two tranches.
This option aims to support environmental measures on 330,000ha of land with a maximum possible payment of €7,000 per annum and an expected average payment of €5,000 per annum.
The expected uptake in the CP entry route is estimated at 20,000 farmers with these again accepted over at least two tranches.
The maximum payment here is €10,000 and average payments are predicted to be in the region of €7,000 per annum
There is forecast to be a higher land area of 400,000ha falling under this option. The maximum payment here is €10,000 and average payments are predicted to be in the region of €7,000 per annum, with this figure including payments for non-productive investments and landscape actions.
A ranking and selection process will apply to entries with three tiers outlined.
Tier 1 farmers will get priority and these are farms possessing what are termed priority environmental assets. Examples of these are private Natura lands, commonage lands, areas where geese and swans congregate and priority areas identified by the Environmental Protection Agency. Organic farmers will also qualify for priority access under Tier 1. Tier 2 are those who commit to priority environmental actions. This will also be determined by the stocking rate on the farm, farm size and if farms are located in a vulnerable water area. Actions to increase priority here include minimum tillage, catch crops and winter bird food (wild bird cover) along with tree planting. Tier 3 entry routes are based on farmers opting to carry out a range of actions that deliver climate change, water quality and biodiversity benefits. These will be discussed in detail in the Irish Farmers Journal next week.
The new flagship agri-environment scheme called the Agri-Environment Climate Measure (AECM) will operate through two entry options – a general entry route whereby farmers can opt to select a range of measures for individual farmers and a Co-operation Project (CP) option, which is available to farmers in defined high-priority geographical areas.
The latter option will require farmers to work together with the assistance of a local CP team who will assist in the implementation of the scheme at local level.
The expected uptake in the general AECM entry route is estimated at 30,000 farmers with these accepted over at least two tranches.
This option aims to support environmental measures on 330,000ha of land with a maximum possible payment of €7,000 per annum and an expected average payment of €5,000 per annum.
The expected uptake in the CP entry route is estimated at 20,000 farmers with these again accepted over at least two tranches.
The maximum payment here is €10,000 and average payments are predicted to be in the region of €7,000 per annum
There is forecast to be a higher land area of 400,000ha falling under this option. The maximum payment here is €10,000 and average payments are predicted to be in the region of €7,000 per annum, with this figure including payments for non-productive investments and landscape actions.
A ranking and selection process will apply to entries with three tiers outlined.
Tier 1 farmers will get priority and these are farms possessing what are termed priority environmental assets. Examples of these are private Natura lands, commonage lands, areas where geese and swans congregate and priority areas identified by the Environmental Protection Agency. Organic farmers will also qualify for priority access under Tier 1. Tier 2 are those who commit to priority environmental actions. This will also be determined by the stocking rate on the farm, farm size and if farms are located in a vulnerable water area. Actions to increase priority here include minimum tillage, catch crops and winter bird food (wild bird cover) along with tree planting. Tier 3 entry routes are based on farmers opting to carry out a range of actions that deliver climate change, water quality and biodiversity benefits. These will be discussed in detail in the Irish Farmers Journal next week. 
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