Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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NHA or National Heritage Areas are areas of special interest containing important wildlife habitats. These areas were designated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

The Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and related area-based schemes such as the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) and Greening are paid on eligible hectares in line with EU Regulations. An eligible hectare consists of an "agricultural area" upon which an "agricultural activity" is being carried out on that area.

In terms of "agricultural area" on parcels of permanent grassland, this means that the agricultural area must be capable of growing grass and capable of supporting an "agricultural activity" such as grazing livestock or mechanical activities such as topping.

Any BPS applicant with NHA land that meets the above definitions of the eligible hectare is free to declare these lands for payment purposes. However, where the NHA coincides with a non-agricultural area or an agricultural area that has no agricultural activity exercised on it, then it is not eligible for payment.

Where a farmer is in any doubt with regard to the eligibility of their lands, they should discuss this with an agricultural adviser. Officials from my Department, through the Farm Advisory Service (FAS), maintain a list of accredited advisers. This list is available on the Department website.