Good news for Meath farmers with launch of Agri-Environment Options Scheme – Brady

There is good news for Meath farmers with the launch of the Department of Agriculture’s new €50million Agri-Environment Options Scheme according to Meath West Fianna Fail TD and Chair of the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee, Johnny Brady.

“With the closure of the REPS Scheme, the Minister for Agriculture, Brendan Smith TD and his officials worked hard to find a suitable substitute for farmers.”

“The New Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) is a different approach to the rural environment where farmers will be paid to undertake identifiable and verifiable environmental measures that will result in worthwhile environmental benefits.”

“The funding for the AEOS will come from modulated funds that were negotiated as part of the CAP Health Check. The funding will also be topped up significantly by the Irish Government.”

“The modulated funds from CAP must be spent on what the EU has identified as ‘new challenges’ and include biodiversity, water management and climate change. The resulting effects are required to be achieved are specified.”

“The available fund of €50million for the Scheme will mean that each of the up to 10,000 applicants will be able to avail of a maximum payment of €5,000.”

““The amount of funding awarded to an individual farmer will depend on the amount of action undertaken. The Minister for Agriculture has indicated that he expects that most farmers will reach, or come very close to reaching the maximum payment of €5,000.”

“In designing and constituting this Scheme the Minister was keen to ensure that it was as accessible as possible and that farmers would not spend time tied up with a complicated application process.”

“Only farmers with Natura land or non-Natura commonage will have to follow a ‘Suitable Management Plan’ which will be much simpler and more cost effective than REPS plans.”

“Those applicants without this type of land will not be required to engage a planner to complete their application forms.”

“The REPS Scheme is continuing and all of those who joined REPS 4 in 2009 will be allowed to complete their full five-year contracts and this year the Department will spend €330 million on REPS.”

“The AEOS application form is as simple and straightforward as possible. The Department will be starting a nationwide ‘roadshow’ next week and farmers should check the Department website www.agriculture.gov.ie for details and further information on the Scheme.”

“I am hopeful that Meath farmers will be able to avail of this Scheme,” concluded Deputy Brady.