The FSP portal (Farm Sustainability Plan) is now available for use. The online function aims to support farmers and advisors by providing crucial farm level data for the preparation of draft plans and applications. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D. made the announcement.
The portal will enable ACRES advisors to start the process of developing farm plans in preparation for the submission of applications under the proposed Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) later in 2022.
The Department believes that a Farm Sustainability Plan is an essential step in the ACRES application process, and the online portal will enable advisors to review the land farmed by their clients and undertake field assessments to assist and advise farmers in the identification of the most appropriate actions for their ACRES application.
Minister McConalogue said: “My Department recently provided a draft Specifications document which gives detailed information on the general actions, core scheme requirements and proposed payment rates. My Department is working towards providing draft Terms and Conditions of the scheme shortly. This draft will give information on the scheme rules including eligibility requirements, the application process, payment claims and further details on the Tier structure and Ranking and Selection. Although certain aspects of the proposed scheme still have to be finalised, I believe that the provision of all of this information, albeit draft, will enable and support farmers and advisors to commence their work on creating Farm Sustainability Plans and applications for the ACRES scheme.”
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