Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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877. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to concerns by farmers regarding a new scheme (details supplied); if clarity can be provided on the benefits of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51812/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is the agri-environment climate measure which forms part of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027. ACRES is the third ‘layer' in the Green Architecture model under the new Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) and is a voluntary scheme whereby farmers, when approved into the Scheme, undertake certain actions on their land for at least 5 years – with those actions going beyond conditionality and the voluntary eco-scheme. Farmers may apply for one of the approaches available under ACRES, namely the ACRES General approach or the ACRES Co-operation approach depending on the location of their holding.  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. 

The Government has committed €1.5 billion to the Scheme over its duration, which is the largest amount ever committed to an agri-environment scheme.  I consider that the rates of payments available to farmers under each of the approaches to be attractive, with a maximum annual payment of up to €7,311 to a participant in ACRES General while a participant in the ACRES Co-operation approach could receive up to €10,500 in a given year.   Payments offered under the Scheme were costed in accordance with the governing EU Regulation - that is, on the basis of additional costs incurred and income foregone resulting from the commitments made and transaction costs.  The payments were calculated using the most up to date information available at time of preparation of Ireland’s draft CAP Strategic Plan, with all costings subsequently independently verified.

One of the requirements of the Scheme is that applications, and the accompanying Farm Sustainability Plan, must be prepared and submitted by an approved ACRES advisor.  The rates such advisors charge their clients for this work is a matter for the farmer and his/her advisor.  My Department, in advance of the formal opening of the Scheme, provided training, by way of in-person events and an update webinar, to agricultural advisors on the proposed Scheme, with a significant volume of reference material make available on my Department’s website.  In addition, there was an online farmer information meeting. There are also webinars and tutorials available on my Department's social media platform for advisors to access and view as and when required.

Each approved ACRES advisor will work with their clients to choose the most appropriate actions for their holding with a view to maximising payments and to ensure these actions are in the most appropriate locations. Participation in the scheme is voluntary and participants may be subject to inspection as required by EU regulations.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Department has recently published a Shared National Vision for Trees, Woods and Forests in Ireland until 2050.

A new Forestry Strategy for Ireland is currently being developed. The draft Forest Strategy to 2030 has been shaped by the extensive public feedback received on the Vision over the last 12 months. This draft Forest Strategy will be subject to a period of public consultation, which is due to commence this week.

In parallel, the Department are also currently developing a new Forest Strategy Implementation Plan which will include the next Forestry Programme for the period 2023 - 2027. The Forest Strategy Implementation Plan is subject to a Strategic Environmental Assessment/Appropriate Assessment process, and this will include public consultation on the draft Plan and Environmental Report. We expect that this consultation will commence this week.

The Environmental Report Grant into 2023 and all grants and premium rates are currently being considered for the next Forestry Programme which is currently the subject of discussion between my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy may be aware that the Environmental Report Grant was introduced by my Department in response to a recommendation of the Mackinnon report (confirmed by the O'Hara report) and following consultations with stakeholders and the Project Woodland Board.

The aim is to increase the quality of afforestationapplications in particular as they address environmental aspects, to increase the throughput of applications by DAFM and to ensure applicants and their agents are reasonably reimbursed for the additional costs associated with the required standard and scope of environmental reports.

An environment grant is now paid at form 2 stage if a report from an external ecologist or external archaeologist is submitted and on file.

Those reports that are required for afforestation in addition to the current mandatory application requirements include:

- A pre-screening report

- A Habitat description and map

- An ecology report covering non-Appropriate Assessment ecology requirements

- A Natura Impact Statement.

Other reports, such as bird surveys, archaeology reports and environmental Impact Assessment Reports are occasionally required, but the four above are the most common required by DAFM, in## line with EU & National Regulations.

I can also confirm to the Deputy that a habitat or ecology survey are covered by the grant.