Second application window for ACRES landscape actions now open
A range of landscape actions within the ACRES schemes are designed to deal with issues such as invasive species, encroaching scrub management in species-rich grassland.
The second application window is now open for landscape actions, an innovative element within the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES).
Agriculture minister Martin Heydon said: “An important element of ACRES is the opportunity afforded to participants in the co-operation approach of the scheme to address specific environmental issues through landscape-scale actions.
"The range of landscape actions that ACRES co-operation participants may select from has been designed to deal with issues such as invasive species, encroaching scrub management in species-rich grassland, and issues affecting threatened species and water quality protection.”
While the implemented actions will benefit the overall environment or landscape, “their implementation should also assist participants to improve the habitat quality of their land, which will become evident when that land is assessed and scored under ACRES, thereby resulting in a higher payment,” Mr Heydon added.
“Applications for landscape actions are submitted by the ACRES Co-operation Project (CP) Teams on behalf of participants in their respective areas. I therefore encourage ACRES co-operation participants to engage with the ACRES CP Team in their area to explore the opportunities and the potential benefits available to them in the form of landscape actions,” Mr Heydon said.
