Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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177. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason farmers participating in the organic farm scheme cannot draw down the maximum organic payment entitlement for the entire area of their farm in cases where they are also participating on ACRES and in turn can only receive the lower payment rate; if this was outlined in the terms and conditions in either ACRES or the organic farm scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15953/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Both the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) and ACRES terms and conditions advise that farmers may participate in both schemes, but for certain actions payment will be foregone in OFS in order to avoid double funding.

As per the ACRES terms and conditions: “Organic Farmers can apply for the ACRES General approach under Tier 1 provided they are registered with, and approved as, an organic operator by one of the Organic Control Bodies by the closing date for applications under the relevant Tranche of ACRES. Where there is risk of double-funding, the payment under the Organic Farming Scheme will be reduced accordingly to avoid a double-funding situation”.

As per the Organic Farming Scheme terms and conditions: “farmers participating in ACRES may also participate in, and draw down payment under, OFS, but may not claim payment in OFS for certain ACRES actions (see Annex 6 & 7 for list of OFS payments allowable on ACRES actions).” This was also highlighted at the information sessions that took place around the country in the lead-up to the implementation of the new CAP Strategic Plan.