LOYALTY CODE:
The paper code cannot be redeemed when browsing in private/incognito mode. Please go to a normal browser window and enter the code there
Farmers in the west have claimed that the construction of greenways through SAC lands has resulted in their ACRES payments being hit.
SUBSCRIBER ONLY
The hill farmer association want all CP areas to be given an agreed standard habitat score for 2024 and 2025.
The current negativity around ACRES could be addressed by better communication and interaction with farmers on the ground, Seanie Boyle maintained.
The project area covered two special areas of conservation (SAC), the Twelve Bens and Maum Turk mountain ranges, with the scheme integrating farmers and individuals from the agricultural industry.
ACRES has been challenging administratively because of the change to results-based schemes in this CAP, Minister for Agriculture says.
INHFA president Vincent Roddy said the landscape actions are there to assist commonage farmers in improving their habitat scores.
Farmers' commitment to habitats have been demonstrated in the 100,000ha of commonage scored in three of the ACRES scheme's co-operation zones.
Farmers are angry that walking festivals are being organised and marketed without landowner engagement or access permission being sought.
Habitat scores are due to be finally issued by 1 September, but there is silence from the Department on whether the timeline will be met.
Mayo farmer claims that ACRES was designed for 'planners and big farmers'.
