(B) Less favoured areas (LFAs)

(B) Less favoured areas (LFAs)

The scheme places emphasis on maintaining the rural population in less favoured areas (LFAs), through an environmentally friendly approach, which focuses on the proper management of low intensity pasture systems, i.e. extensive farming. As regards the overlap between REPS and LFAs (average of 100,000 qualifying applicants per annum), it is important to note that in 2000 there were 27,000 REPS applicants who also qualified under LFAs – 27 per cent. By 2006 the figure had increased to 41,000 – 41 per cent.

Of the land area referred to above, 5.15 million hectares are designated as less favoured, with a total utilised agricultural area (UAA) of 3.67 million hectares, and represents almost 75 per cent of agricultural land nationally. For the duration of the Plan applicants were obliged to comply with good farming practice (GFP), which laid down the environmental requirements for the scheme. Good farming practice is common-sense farming and is described as the standard of farming that a reasonable farmer would follow in the region concerned. Care of the environment is an integral part of GFP, with particular emphasis on grassland and nutrient management. Environmental issues were also central to the 1997 National Strategy for Sustainable Development, e.g. nutrient management through the reduction of both fertiliser application rates and stocking densities. Also, among the main environmental challenges identified by the Department of the Environment was halting the decline in water quality, through proper nutrient management.
The environmental issues mentioned in the previous paragraph are addressed by the LFAs through the obligation of having a minimum stocking density per forage hectare of 0.15 livestock units. The main beneficial effect arising has come via a corresponding reduction in stocking levels, attributable to the abolition of the overall link between animal production and receipt of compensatory allowances. This has resulted in a reduction in the use of artificial fertilisers and the amount of animal waste produced, which in turn has improved both soil and water quality. Empirical evidence is provided by national livestock data as follows:

• 
  Cattle numbers have decreased by 4.8 per cent during the life of the Plan, from 6.408 million to c. 6.100 million.
  
• 
  Sheep numbers have decreased by 14.7 per cent, from 4.807 million to c. 4.1 million.
  
• 
  Fertiliser usage has decreased by 3 per cent, from 1.545 million tonnes to c. 1.5 million tonnes.
  

5. Description of Axes and Measures proposed for each Axis

Measures proposed for each Axis

As set out in Ireland’s Rural Development National Strategy 2007–2013, the programme will contribute to each of the three objectives detailed in Article 4 of the Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, namely:

• 
  Improving the competitiveness of agriculture by supporting restructuring, development and innovation (Axis 1)
  
• 
  Improving the environment and the countryside by supporting land management (Axis 2)
  
• 
  Improving the quality of life in rural areas and encouraging diversification of economic activity (Axis 3).
  

Beneficiaries will be limited to those complying, where appropriate, with the minimum pay legislation.

The programme will provide support through the following Measures:

Axis 1–Improving the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sector
MEASURE CODE	MEASURE
111	Vocational training and information actions
112	Setting up of young farmers
113	Early retirement of farmers and farm workers
121	Modernisation of agricultural holdings
Axis 2–Improving the environment and the countryside
MEASURE CODE	MEASURE
212	Payments to farmers in areas with handicaps, other than mountain areas
213	Natura 2000 payments and payments linked to Directive 2000/60/EC
214	Agri-Environmental payments
Axis 3–The quality of life in rural areas and diversification of the rural economy
MEASURE CODE	MEASURE
311	Diversification into non-agricultural activities
312	Business creation and development
313	Encouragement of tourism activities
321	Basic services for the economy and rural population
322	Village renewal and development
323	Conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage
33	Training and information for economic factors under Axis 3

Axis 3–LEADER
MEASURE CODE	MEASURE
341	Skills-acquisition and animation measure
41	Implementing local development strategies
421	Implementing co-operation projects
431	Running the Local Action Group

The position re the horizontal indicators is set out in the table below:

HORIZONTAL INDICATORS
Indicator	Measurement	Baseline	Projection
Economic development	GDP per capita, expressed in PPS (EU-25=100)	147.4	140.7 (2008)
Employment rate	Employed persons aged 15-64 as a percentage of the population of the same age group	Average 69.6% Female 60.1% Young People 54.3%	70 per cent by 2010
Unemployment	Rate of unemployment, i.e. unemployed persons as a percentage of economically active population	Average 4.9% Female 4.7% Young People 10.6%	Maintain

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