Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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865. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter regarding the ACRES scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51516/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is the flagship agri-environmental measure under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027, recently approved by the EU Commission. The Scheme will run for five years and has two approaches:

- ACRES Co-operation Project (CP), which applies in eight mapped zones that are areas of high nature value, hold significant carbon stores and are home to some of the most pristine waters in the country.

- ACRES General, for all other farmers not falling within CP Zones.

The Scheme will support farmers in their efforts to tackle the challenges in climate, biodiversity, and water quality.

Using a habitats-based approach, delivered through both prescription and results-based actions, ACRES will contribute to improving biodiversity, climate, air, and water quality outcomes. This Scheme builds on the success and learnings of recent agri-environmental schemes such as GLAS and REAP and European Innovation Partnership projects (EIPs).

A maximum payment of €10,500 annually is available to ACRES CP participants (€7,311 for those in the General approach). €7,000 is ring-fenced for results-based payments, with the additional €3,500 set aside for non-productive investments (NPI) and/or landscape actions (LA). In addition to this, and mindful of the €7,000 ceiling, farmers may choose to carry out three further actions on land within the CP Zone – traditional dry stone wall maintenance, conservation of rare breeds or low-emission slurry spreading. For those with land outside the CP Zone, they may carry out general actions listed in the Terms and Conditions.

The purpose of NPIs and LAs is to improve the habitats, and thereby the scores achieved in the results-based approach taken on holdings in CP Zones. My Department has, with the assistance of the Co-operation Project Teams (CP Teams), compiled a list of approximately 50 NPIs which may be available to CP participant farmers depending on the location of their lands. Participants in the CP Zones will have the assistance of CP Teams, who will discuss with farmers how best to improve the habitats and maximise their scores and payments through the use of NPIs and Landscape actions.

To apply for ACRES, a farmer (holding a herd number, herd keeper is not sufficient), be over 18, have submitted an application for the Basic Payment Scheme in 2021, and must contact their approved ACRES advisor, who will prepare and submit the application on their behalf.