The new Results-Based Environment-Agi Pilot Project (REAP) has been launched and is now open for applications.
REAP is designed to pilot some measures now, for possible inclusion later, under the next CAP measures for Ireland from 2023 onwards.
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue described the pilot programme as “ambitious, innovative and exciting.”
“I’m hugely excited about this REAP project as it helps us and farmers identify value we can bring to our next national agri-environmental scheme by trialling some measures now. It will identify the environmental and biodiversity returns from specific farm measures while delivering a key new incomes to farmers,” he said.
Land brought in REAP will be scored in year one to establish its environmental and biodiversity status. In conjunction with their advisor, farmers will undertake environmental improvement works to increase the environmental value of existing farm features – with the aim of improving the environmental score in year two.
Farms with the highest scoring will receive the greatest payment. Farmers can expect to receive an average annual payment of up to €4,700, with a maximum payment of €6,900 available.
The project will also support farm incomes by providing up to €12,600 to participating farms over the two-year term of their REAP contract.
LSL News.