The Results-based Environment Agri Pilot Project (REAP) received over five times the limit of participants with nearly 11,000 applications.
It became apparent in recent days that the scheme would be oversubscribed, calls began for more farmers to be accepted into the pilot than originally planned.
IFA rural development chair Michal Biggins said it shows there is demand for environmental schemes among farmers.
“The budget of €10 million per annum is totally inadequate to cater for the demand. We are calling on Minister McConalogue to increase the budget to meet the demand, ensuring all farmers who wish to participate in REAP are given the opportunity to do so,” Mr Biggins added.
As the scheme is oversubscribed, it is understood that ‘ranking and selection’ criteria will apply. Between 1,500 and 2,000 applicants will eventually be accepted into the scheme.
A number of factors will be taken into account when determining which applicants make the cut.
These factors include: whether the farm intersects with a high status water area or low status water area; the proportion of Natura land on the holding; and the proportion of Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) land on the holding. The geographical spread of applications will also be considered.
Farmers will be informed by way of approval letters whether or not they have been accepted into the scheme.