One-year extensions are being offered to farmers taking place in the Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme (GLAS).
The scheme pays farmers around €200m a year for environmentally-friendly farming methods which tackle climate change, preserve biodiversity or protect habitats.
Farmers with GLAS 1, 2 or 3 contracts that expire on 31 December, 2021, are eligible for the offer.
The Irish Farmers Association said the announcement will provide certainty for applicants.
Agriculture, Food and the Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue, said it was crucial farm schemes were maintained.
“Securing these crucial farm payments was a key priority of mine. It was important to deliver income security to these farmers in GLAS as we transition between CAP programmes,” he said.
Minister McConalogue confirmed that information packs have been issued to GLAS participants, which include an offer to extend their contracts by the 10 December 2021 deadline.
“The process will be similar to that undertaken last year. I was encouraged to see the number of participants who extended their GLAS contracts for this year, as it meant that the provision of environmental benefits continued to accrue during the transitional period before the new CAP while farmers also had continuity of income,” he concluded.
LSL News.