€50m available under scheme for protection of environmental areas

FARMERS can avail of a new €50 million fund geared towards the protection of areas of high environmental value.

A maximum of €5,000 will be paid to each of up to 10,000 participants in the new Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS), with areas such as the Burren in Co Clare being cited as particularly appropriate.

Clare-based Fianna Fáil TD Tony Killeen said that applications from farmers who are members of the Burren Life project would be very welcome.