€150 /ha in AEOS ruled out

AGRICULTURE Minister Simon Coveney has ruled out increasing the AEOS payment for designated NHA, SAC or SPA land from €75 to €150 per hectare — which was the intention when the scheme was launched last year.

“Given the current financial constraints and the overall funding limits which have been introduced in the national recovery plan, and to ensure that as many applicants as possible can be accepted into the scheme, I have decided that the rate for designated land will be €75 per hectare,” said the minister.

“While I concur that the decision is disappointing, I had to make choices on the agri-environment options scheme because it was launched without financial provision being made for it in the budget.”