Eco-Scheme
| Information last updated May 19th, 2023 All details are taken from the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine ‘Schemes & Payments’ section located here. Please check this section for the latest information and updates relating to Farm Schemes & Payments. |
What is the Eco-scheme?
The Eco-Scheme has been introduced for the first time as part of the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027. This voluntary annual scheme will be open to all active farmers to participate in. To qualify for payment, farmers will have to undertake specific agricultural practices on their farms. Payment under the Eco-Scheme will be an annual payment for all eligible hectares covered by the commitments undertaken.
The Eco-scheme is a new initiative that is CAP funded by funding 25% of the direct payments ceiling. The aim of this scheme is to reward farmers for undertaking actions beneficial to the climate, environment, water quality and biodiversity, and will be implemented annually, with farmers having the opportunity to opt in or out on an annual basis.
Farmers must deliver at least two of the following agricultural practices:
| 1. Space for Nature (Non-productive areas and landscape features). Log into Agfood.ie to check your GAEC 8 and Space for Nature calculation. 2. Extensive livestock production 3. Limiting chemical nitrogen usage 4. Planting of native trees/hedgerows 5. Use of GPS controlled spreader and/or sprayer 6. Soil sampling and appropriate liming 7. Planting a break crop 8. Sowing a multi-species sward. |
Agricultural practices chosen can also be changed on a yearly basis at the farmers discretion. Farmers will apply for the Eco-Scheme at the same time as their application for the BISS from 2023 onwards.
How to Qualify
- All active farmers are eligible to apply.
- The Eco-Scheme has 8 agricultural practices to choose from in which 3 of these practices have an enhanced option.
- A farmer must deliver two practices (or one enhanced option) to qualify for an Eco-Scheme payment.
Rates of Payment
The payment rate depends on uptake but is likely to be in the region of €60 – €65 per hectare with a total financial allocation of €297 million per annum.
How to Apply
You apply for Eco-scheme as part of the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application.
Payment Entitlements are not required to apply for the Eco-Scheme.
A farmer may submit their own application in conjunction with their BISS application or they can employ a FAS approved advisor to do so on their behalf.
For a listing of approved advisors please go to: Farm Advisory System (FAS).
To apply online, login or register at agfood.ie
You must apply by midnight on 29 May 2023.
If your login or password are expired and need to be renewed, please contact the Department’s helpdesk:
Agfood Online Services Helpdesk
Address: Government Offices, Farnham Street, Cavan, Co Cavan, H12 D459
Website: agfood.ie
Email: agfood@agriculture.gov.ie
Phone number: 049 4368288
Map Editing Guide for Eco-Scheme Application
For a full walkthrough guide on how to edit maps on Agfood Online Services account please click here.
Approved Soil Sampling laboratories for Eco-Scheme
For a full list of approved soil sampling laboratories under the Eco-Scheme please click here.
Terms and Conditions
For the full Eco-scheme terms and conditions please click here.
They are contained within the 2023 Basic Income Support for Sustainability and related area-based scheme Terms and Conditions.
Contact
Address: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Government Buildings, Old Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois, R32 PRA6
Email: ecoscheme@agriculture.gov.ie
Website: DirectPaymentsCorrespondence@agriculture.gov.ie
Phone number: +353 (0) 57 86 74422