Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

High nature value, HNV, farming is farming that supports the objective of having highly diverse species and habitats and maintains bio-diversity in the agricultural landscape. Under the rural development programme, RDP, currently being finalised by my Department, I am proposing to support HNV farming specifically and biodiversity in general through a number of measures.

In the draft programme, I have included plans for a new agri-environmental scheme that will deliver payments to farmers for delivery of environmental goods. This new green, low-carbon, agri-environment scheme, GLAS, will incentivise 50,000 farmers to focus on priorities such as biodiversity, water quality and climate change and will have an annual budget rising to €250 million per year.

Under the scheme, priority access is being given to farmers within Natura areas, which constitute the majority of our HNV farmland. In addition, the scheme will include a number of other biodiversity options that support HNV-appropriate farming. Specific measures such as conserving traditional hay meadows and permanent pastures, supports for establishment and management of hedgerows and the creation of wildflower margins and planting of small woodlands are all included, along with measures directly targeting specific bird species, bees and bats. Conservation plans for privately owned Natura land and commonage will also be supported.

Additionally, payments to farmers in areas of natural constraints provide support for HNV farming while the organic farming scheme will also be available to such farmers.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

A financial provision of €70 million over the RDP period is also being made available for targeted agri-environment initiatives. This innovation will initially target two identified priorities, both of which are HNV focused, an expansion of the Burren farming for conservation scheme and a targeted scheme supporting the conservation of the freshwater pearl mussel in priority catchments.

The Government’s continuing commitment to strategic investment in the agri-food sector and the rural economy is evidenced by the provision of matching funding to bring the total allocation for the new RDP to over €4 billion. This constitutes a very significant commitment to the rural economy.

I plan to submit Ireland’s draft RDP to the European Commission at the end of June. Following this, it is expected that a period of negotiation will take place in the subsequent months.

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