Farmers say ACRES needs additional funding to avoid 'major disappointment'
Vice-president of the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association John Joe Fitzgerald has said that the limited number of places available "will lead to major disappointment for many farmers".
A farm organisation is urging the Government to provide additional funding to the agri-environment scheme ACRES to ensure all those looking to join can be accommodated.
Vice-president of the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association John Joe Fitzgerald has said that the limited number of places available "will lead to major disappointment for many farmers".
"There are 46,000 farmers in ACRES and based on the current budget it’s unlikely that we will see this pass 50,000 participants," Mr Fitzgerald said.
"It is absolutely essential that the minister goes back to the cabinet and demands that the promises made in the Programme for Government to support all farmers that are willing to deliver for the environment are realised through a properly funded agri-environment scheme."
Intake into the scheme is phased, in tranches.
Tranche one was open for applications in late 2022, with some 46,000 farmers currently participating in the scheme.
Tranche two is now open to a further 4,000 farmers.
The allocation for ACRES has been increased by €40m bringing the total scheme allocation to €200m.
"The provision of additional funding will allow us to deliver on the Government’s commitment to have 50,000 farmers participating in ACRES," Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has said.
"There was unprecedented demand for places in tranche one and having ensured all 46,000 farmers could participate in that tranche, I am delighted to now open tranche two to a further 4,000 farmers."
For the 46,000 farmers currently in ACRES, John Joe Fitzgerald outlined how the organisation has held meetings with Department of Agriculture staff and expressed hope that payments would commence in the coming weeks.
He did, however, caution that, as the scheme is "very complex, we could be looking at spring of next year before all farmers receive a payment".
"The INHFA will continue to push the minister and his staff to ensure the earliest possible pay-out of monies," Mr Fitzgerald added.
He also reminded farmers of the training requirement attached to the scheme.
While many farmers have already completed their ACRES training, "I am encouraging any farmer that hasn’t to contact their farm advisor and prioritise this as we understand that no payment will be made to farmers in 2024 who haven’t completed this training".
For young farmers and new entrants currently looking to join tranche two of ACRES, Mr Fitzgerald outlined how access to the scheme "could be problematic for some".
"This is an issue we have highlighted and pushed on and while the requirement to have a BPS application submitted in 2021 has been moved forward to 2022, there is still a significant danger that many young farmers and new entrants may not qualify," he said.
"This is another reason for seeking additional funding which can ensure the opening of a third tranche next year which could then accommodate these farmers."
