Hill Farming Council Report September 2024

Scheme Updates

ACRES

• Advance Payment Delays: Advance payments scheduled for last November were delayed. Approximately 19,000 farmers (mainly in ACRES General) received payments in December, while the remaining 25,000 Tranche 1 applicants received an interim payment of €4,000 or €5,000 (depending on whether they were in ACRES General or Co-Operation), funded by the National Exchequer.
• Balancing Payments: Balancing payments began in June. Balancing payments began in June; with 36,410 (80.8%) having received their balancing payment, while 8,650 (19.2%) are still awaiting payment (*Figures correct as of 23rd August). Payment runs are issuing fortnightly, with the goal of completing all balancing payments by the end of September.
• Outstanding Cases: Many of the unresolved cases involve complex issues such as contract transfers, probate, or pending clarifications from DAFM. The main issue with outstanding payments appears to be reconciling the areas scored in 2022 with the eligible areas applied for under BISS in 2023. Once resolved by I.T, the case moves to payment calculation and then picked up on the next payment run. 
• Overpayments: Letters have been sent to affected farmers outlining their overpayment, the calculation method, and repayment options (direct debit, card, cheque, EFT, etc.). Farmers can also engage with Cavan’s Debt Recovery Unit to discuss alternative payment arrangements in hardship cases. If no action is taken, the amount will automatically be deducted from the next DAFM payment (ANC).
  •  No interest or penalties will apply, and there is no requirement to repay within one month of receiving the letter, as is the case with other schemes.
• Scoring Information: The scoring of individual parcels is being communicated to farmers who have been paid via Agfood. Additional scoring information will be released as cases are cleared for payment. The average score on commonages is 6, with few parcels in non-payable zones (scores 1, 2, 3). Once a farmer in a commonage receives their score, there will be an opportunity to engage with CP Teams regarding management actions.
• Non-Productive Investments (NPI): Farmers in the CP areas can enhance their core €7,000 annual payment, with potential to earn up to €17,500 over the scheme’s term by implementing additional environmental measures or addressing lower-than-expected scores. Actions were agreed upon with ACRES CP Teams, and applications for NPIs closed early last December. However, no approvals have been issued yet, which are required before farmers can implement measures and receive payments. Minister McConalogue reported in December that nearly 4,300 CP stream farmers applied for a total of 43,910 NPIs. DAFM indicates that applications are currently under review by CP Teams, with approvals expected to begin by the end of the year. Farmers can still claim the full €17,500 NPI payment in subsequent years of the scheme, as any unclaimed amounts will roll over. 
• Landscape Actions: These are typically larger-scale investments or measures, with applications set to open in 2025

Comhairle na Tuaithe

• MAP Guidelines: The guidelines have been published, and the Expression of Interest (EoI) for new MAP areas closes on September 27th. The expansion is expected to be conservative, likely adding 2 or 3 new areas based on EoI submissions. Areas expressing interest include Errigal, Croaghpatrick, and Lenane. While the Comeragh Mountains and Lugnaquilla are also interested, they may not be ready for inclusion this time.
• Uplands Insurance Policy: The policy has been renewed with FBD, but Binn Shleibhe has been excluded. There have been no claims on the policy. The current coverage is limited, excluding activities like scrambling, rock climbing, and mountaineering. There is a need to engage with FBD to expand coverage, providing greater assurance to landowners. Changes to Occupier Liability should support this extension, and the low number of claims for additional activities is unlikely to impact underwriting. DCRD agreed to further discussions with FBD and to include this in the policy revision when additional locations are confirmed. A draft notice will be sent to landowners in McGillycuddy Reeks once the new policy is renewed.
• Recreation in the Countryside Booklet: The review is progressing well, with the goal of having it ready for the Trail Conference and Ploughing events.
• Uplands Recreational Scheme: The proposal is still being finalized. Discussions with farmers in McGillycuddy Reeks and RRO are planned for early September to scope out the proposal. The scheme will be customized to each MAP area rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. While details are not finalized, it will likely focus on hours worked and maintenance activities, with potentially higher rates than the Walks Scheme to reflect the nature of the work required.

Activity since last Council

• The IFA Hill Farming Committee met in the Irish Farm Centre on the 22^nd May in the Farm Centre 
• The Committee was joined by Seamus McMenimen, Sheepmeat & Livestock Sector Manager for Bord Bia
• Continued dialogue with DAFM ACRES and CP Teams on payment & scoring issues
• Attended Comhairle na Tuaithe meeting in Dublin on the 16^th May 
• IFA met with Minister of State for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Malcolm Noonan, to discuss issues relating to the NPWS Farm Plan, the Hen Harrier and Burning on the 8^th May

Upcoming Events

• The next meeting of the IFA Hill Committee will take place on the  9th October
• Comhairle na Tuaithe will hold their next meeting in Charleville, Co. Cork on the 3^rd October
• The launch of Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan will take place on the 10^th September in Slieve Bloom Mountains.