Monitoring system to be used for late meadow bonus payment under ACRES
Late meadow bonuses will be monitored by the AMS. Picture: Noel Bennett
The Area Monitoring System (AMS) will be used to determine eligibility and ensure compliance with Late Meadow Bonus payments.
Although the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) would be aware of the use of AMS to monitor area-based schemes, the Department of Agriculture advises farmers it will also be used to determine eligibility for late meadow actions.
The AMS will be used alongside the AgriSnap™ photographs provided and the standard field inspections for the late meadow bonuses associated with the ‘Low Input Grassland’ (LIG) and the ‘Low Input Peat Grassland’ (LIPG) actions for the monitoring of eligibility of payments under ACRES.
Participants undertaking those actions under ACRES have the opportunity to apply for a late meadow bonus payment of €50 per hectare on meadows cut between July 1 and August 31.
The specifications for the late meadow bonus payment refer to parcels that are mown for hay or silage. The entire Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) must be suitable for mowing and committed to the late meadow bonus payment if chosen.
Requirements to qualify for the late meadow bonus payment associated with the LIG action and the LIPG action:
- Meadows must be closed with no grazing or machinery operations to take place for at least six weeks before cutting;
- The earliest date meadows may be cut for hay or silage is July 1, and the latest date to qualify for the bonus payment is August 31.
- A request will be sent to all LIG and LIPG participants annually. If applicable in any year of the contract, those cutting the whole parcel as a late meadow can make a claim by submitting a geo-tagged photograph(s), via the AgriSnap App, giving a clear representation of the mown meadow. The photo must be submitted to the Department of Agriculture on the date of mowing or within five days after mowing activity (but must be prior to significant grass re-growth).
The more detailed requirements for the undertaking of the above actions are available in the ACRES Specifications available on the department’s website.
