AEOS priority for Natura applicants

APPLICANTS with commonage or Natura land (designated Special Protection Areas, Special Areas of Conservations) will have a higher priority for acceptance into the Agri-environment Options Scheme (AEOS).

However, they will have to draw up a sustainable management plan. Other applicants will not require a planner to complete their application forms.

And for the Natura farmers, a much simpler and much less costly specification will be required compared to traditional REPS plans, according to Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith. As in REPS, the AEOS payment will reflect the plan cost.