The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) have outlined new proposals to address ongoing issues around the Agri-Climate and Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES). Speaking on this National President Vincent Roddy detailed how “the proposals were agreed at a National Council meeting held on Tuesday with details sent to the Minister and officials from the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM) on Wednesday.”
The proposal is, he stated “based on the original ACRES concept that saw the DAFM apply an indicative habitat score of eight on all lands in the ACRES Co-operation (CP) areas.” This he added “was the score (and payment rate) that was referenced to farmers when they applied to join ACRES.”In referencing this score Roddy maintained “a payment expectation that encouraged a high uptake that was also facilitated by DAFM. The assurances around the roll out of specific actions through the NPIs and LAs which were also designed to support farmers in attaining a high habitat score. Unfortunately, none of this happened and that is why we are now looking to revisit the indicative score” added the INHFA leader.
The INHFA Proposal is as follows:
· For 2024 and 2025 all farmers in CP areas are given and paid on a habitat score of 8.
· The first of these payments to be made this November/December.
· The scores, currently compiled by the CP teams and Farm Advisors over the last two years to be discussed with farmers and the various options necessary to improve their scores.
· For all concerned the target is that by 2026 or 2027 these areas will be at a score of 8. However, if this is not achieved then no penalty is applied for 2024 and 2025 but farmers will then be paid on their new score in 2026/27.
In accepting this change ACRES can, Roddy stressed “move from its current position of penalising farmers (often for what is outside their control) to a point where farmers are supported to improve their score and biodiversity and be rewarded for doing so.”
This proposal will he stressed “give everyone including the DAFM the time to address ongoing issues around IT and provides the time to roll out the NPIs and LAs which will deliver both in terms of financial support and for the overall habitat,”
Beyond the proposals around the indicative score the INHFA have also detailed proposals to address issues and payment rates for farmers on commonage lands. Here Roddy outlined “how commonage farmers, especially those with a limited number of hectares are struggling to build any level of payment and there is a real danger that many of these farmers will exit the scheme.”
The INHFA Proposal on commonages is as follows:
· That the current payment rate on commonages as applied through the habitat scorecard is increased and brought in line with the payment rates made through the Peat Grassland scorecard as detailed in the comparison below
· Low Input Grassland, Peat Grassland & Results based Co-operation, Score 10 – €400: Score 9 – €375: 8 – €350: 7 – €325: 6 – €300: 5 – €275: 4 – €250: No payment under 4
· Current Commonage Payment Rates Score 10 – €220: Score 9 – €180: Score 8 – €145: Score 7 – €115: 6 – €90: 5 – €70: 4 -€60: No payment under 4
Both scorecards are, Roddy maintained “quite similar in assessing the land type and habitat and very often there is no difference in the land and habitat type between the commonage and the private lands that run beside it. On this basis we believe the current payment model discriminates against commonage land which is why we are recommending this change. “
“As the habitat payment is limited at €7,000 per farmer and the DAFM have always stated how their budget is based on a ring-fenced payment to farmers of €52,500 over the five years (including NPIs and LAs) then this proposal should come within the overall Department budget for ACRES” added the INHFA President.
In concluding Roddy detailed how “the current ACRES model is one that we have always had concerns around. However, it is the scheme that is in place so we have to try and find a way to make it work. The proposals outlined can ensure that farmers are supported while providing the necessary time to deliver improvements through the supporting actions.”