Eight areas have been identified as having environmental characteristics suitable for co-operation projects regarding the new CAP’s National Agri-Environment Scheme (AECM). Farmers in the identified areas are expected to engage in the new AECM through co-operation project teams. This comes as Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue announced the launch of a new tender process for the management of co-operation projects as part of the AECM.
It’s understood that these farmers will benefit from higher payment rates, of up to a maximum €10,500 per year, should they participate and undertake the most environmentally ambitious actions.
According to McConalogue, farmers participating in this co-operation element of the AECM will benefit greatly from the support and advice of the co-operation teams, a process which has proved very successful with farmers working in the current European Innovation Partnership projects (EIPs). Farmers have since reported great success with the current EIPs. He adds that a number of additional EIPs will be rolled out across the country in various landscape contexts.
The Minister has reassured farmers that farmers participating in the next agri-environmental scheme will have all the necessary support and training.
The €1.5 billion environmental scheme under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan was submitted to the European Commission for approval in December.
LSL News.