IFA: Grants for eco-sensitive lands need better flexibility and payments

GRANTS to compensate farmers for leaving eco-sensitive lands untouched need greater flexibility and must guarantee delivery of monies by October 1, says the Irish Farmers Association (IFA).

The IFA said that cash-strapped farmers who forego farming income and pay to fence off designated lands will need immediate compensation. Some uncertainty surrounds the delays that might precede the Department of Agriculture’s planned verification process under the new Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS).

The AEOS payments relate to compensation for non-usage of Natura (lands to be protected for reasons of heritage, wildlife protection values) and Riparian (lands adjacent to coastal and river) margins.

In theory, 10,000 farmers can gain a maximum of €5,000 each per annum from the total €50 million fund. In reality, if the scheme starts in June, it will only cover seven months, thus totalling a maximum €29m for 2010.

IFA rural development chairman Tom Turley said: “We have very little confidence in the department delivering the funds on time. Over 4,000 farmers are still awaiting last year’s REPS payment. Once farmers sign up for the AEOS scheme before the May 17 closing date, they don’t want to wait while the department’s verification process rolls on indefinitely.

“There’s no EU restriction on verification, so it’s entirely down to the department. All of the applications will be sent to Johnstown Castle, where the staff are already working flat out.

“There’s a moratorium on recruitment, so who is going to process these 10,000 applications?”

Mr Turley described AEOS as a “very narrow scheme” and “a work in progress”. Successful applicants will have to take a raft of actions to ensure cross-compliance protecting eco-sensitive and species-rich lands, while also staying within directives on nitrates.

The IFA is calling for a number of concessions to ensure farmers are not short-changed for actions they take to comply, and for the monies lost by leaving lands unfarmed.

The IFA wants to implement a number of changes to specifications to help some farmers achieve a higher payment.

At present, only €75 compensation per hectare is tabled under AEOS.

The minister is seeking European approval to increase this to €150. This falls some way short of the €242 which was payable under REPS, which is currently winding down.

Irish hillside landowners have 40 hectares on average. To get €5,000 from AEOS, they would have to own 66 acres.

The IFA wants greater flexibility to allow them to make up the balance – for example, on Natura lands, tree planting and hedges are not available options.

Mr Turley also called for clarification for farmers who will leave REPS 3 after May 17 next. He said they must be allowed apply for the AEOS with plans commencing from January 1 next for a five-year period.