Positive news for Longford farmers as ACRES scheme extended to all applicants
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue TD has confirmed that all 46,000 applicants for the new Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) are to be included in the scheme.
Welcoming the announcement, Longford / Westmeath Fianna Fáil TD Joe Flaherty said, “This is a major scheme for Longford farmers who have enthusiastically embraced the two previous environmental schemes and it was critical that they were allowed entry to the new programme.”
Deputy Flaherty also confirmed the opening of the new BISS (replacing the BPS, which replaced the Single Farm Payment) programme as part of the rollout of Ireland’s €9.8bn CAP Strategic Plan.
He explained, “The application process for the new Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) as well as other area-based schemes, is now open. Over the coming days, farmers will receive information in the post containing their BISS maps and land details for 2023.
"Useful information on the new schemes, on the Area Monitoring System and a guide to staying healthy, safe, and well while farming, which has been supported and driven by Minister Heydon, will also be posted to farmers. This information will assist farmers and their advisors to make their online BISS application.”
Continuing, Deputy Flaherty referred to some of the key dates that will inform scheme implementation in 2023.
He said: “With this being the first year of the new CAP Strategic Plan, a whole range of new schemes are being introduced over a relatively short time period. It is important therefore that farmers and advisors are aware of some important planned delivery dates.”
The key dates are as follows:
- the closing date for BISS applications, which will be midnight on Monday, May 29, 2023
- the advance payment dates for ANC, BISS, CRISS and the Eco-scheme, which are expected to commence in October 2023
- the dates for balancing payments and payments for other schemes, which are expected to commence in December 2023.