Inclusive of amendments of 30 September 2008, of 15 May 2009
A Coppicing of Hedgerows 5B Laying of Hedgerows
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- Agri-Environmental Payments Sub-Measure – Organic Farming
In circumstances where, on environmental grounds, the options available are deemed to be inappropriate to the holding, alternative environmental requirements will be specified on a case-by-case basis and included in the farm plan. Supplementary Measures Supplementary Measure Traditional Orchards Supplementary Measure Conservation of Animal Genetic Resources Supplementary Measure Riparian Zones Supplementary Measure LINNET (Land Invested in Nature, Natural Eco-Tillage) Habitats Supplementary Measure Low-Input Tillage Crops Supplementary Measure Minimum TillageSupplementary Measure Traditional Grazers Supplementary Measure Clover Swards Supplementary Measure Conservation of Wild Bird Habitat Supplementary Measure Lake Catchments Supplementary Measure Mixed Grazing Supplementary Measure Heritage Buildings Agri-Environmental Payments Sub-Measure–Organic FarmingParticipants:
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Confirmation that the cross-compliance requirements are identical to those provided for by Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 The cross-compliance requirements which affects the implementation of this measure are identical to those provided for in Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003. Description and justification of the different types of commitments, based on their expected environmental impact in relation to environmental needs and priorities ACTION 1: Follow a farm nutrient management plan prepared for the total area of the farm This measure promotes the efficient use of nutrients in an environmentally friendly manner. It involves a systematic evaluation of all the nutrient sources available and required on the farm and sets limits on the application rates for chemical fertilisers, organic fertilisers and other nutrient sources. Objective: This measure promotes the efficient use of nutrients in an environmentally friendly manner and complements mandatory measures to protect water resources from pollution from agriculture. Scope and actions For non-derogation farms32, systematic evaluation of the entire nutrient sources available and required on the farm. Measure sets limits on the application rates for chemical fertilisers, organic fertilisers and other nutrient sources. Includes soil sampling analysis and interpretation related to specific fertility of various soil types on holding. Where a nitrates derogation is granted, the nutrient management plan will be acceptable for participation in REPS. Additional Category 1 biodiversity commitments will be required for all farmers farming to a derogation from the nitrates directive. (Since a derogation is available only to farmers with at least 80 per cent grassland, this consideration will be relevant to grassland farmers only.) Relevant baseline: Total quantity of fertilisers applied must not be more than the crops need. Farmer must meet requirements in relation to animal manure management, planning and building regulations, water and air. Farmers using less than 170kg of organic N/ha must respect this limit as set down in the Nitrates Regulation on a whole-farm basis. Farmers using more than 170kg of organic N/ha must respect the limits set down in their Nutrient Management Plan at the level of homogenous crops subject to the same soil sample. Core actions: for grassland farmers Soil sampling and analysis are not GAEC requirements for any farmer operating at or below 170kg of organic N/ha. The soil sampling, analysis and interpretation by the REPS planner provides the base-line data on the specific fertility of the various soil types on the individual farm and allows the targeting, at the level of homogenous crops subject to the same soil sample, of nutrient application including optimum recycling of farm-generated organic fertilisers. This action will also lead to benefits of biodiversity by restricting its use on plots of conservation interest. Derograted farmers must choose a relevant category 1 option from the list. Core actions: for arable farmers Soil sampling and analysis are not GAEC requirements for any farmer operating at or below 170kg of organic N/ha. The soil sampling, analysis and interpretation by the REPS planner provides the base-line data on the specific fertility of the various soil types on the individual farm and allows the targeting, at the level of homogenous crops subject to the same soil sample, of nutrient application including optimum recycling of farm-generated organic fertilisers. Arable farmers may elect to reduce nutrient inputs by 30 per cent from the recommended crop fertilisation rates or alternatively undertake actions on 6 per cent of the arable area of the holding in accordance with the requirements of the LINNET supplementary measure below, but as part of their basic undertaking and without the payment for the supplementary measure that is available to grassland farmers. (Fertiliser use on the area devoted to the LINNET action will be reduced by up to 100 per cent. On the remainder of the holding, fertiliser use will not exceed crop requirements as set out in the nutrient management plan.) Amount/ha: €25 (grassland farmers); €60.2 (arable farmers) Follow up: Compliance with these limits will be checked during on-farm audits, and non-compliance will result in application of penalties. If the farmer exceeds the planned stocking rate or exceeds the land productivity a penalty will apply. Farmers will also be penalised where they exceed the planned chemical Nitrogen and phosphorus allowance ceilings. Additional biodiversity options: none ACTION 2: Adopt an appropriate grassland and soil management plan for the total area of the farm Excessive poaching and overgrazing of grassland can result in siltation and nutrient enrichment of surface waters. The adoption of a specific grassland and soil management plan by farmer participants will ensure a balance between agricultural and environmental demands. Objective: To promote a sustainable grassland and soil management plan that protects habitats and minimises poaching, overgrazing and soil erosion Scope and actions Only applicable to grassland farms. Planners in preparing individual farm plans will set out actions for the maintenance of grassland habitats that are sensitive to or damaged by poaching, over- or under-grazing, flooding and soil erosion. The planner will also assess the condition of the soil structure and recommend an appropriate management regime going beyond the requirements of GAEC. Relevant baseline Wildlife Act 1976/2001. Statutory requirements for waste and water management. Forage must be conserved in a manner that maximises quality and yield. The nutrient requirement for forage production must be adhered to. Undergrazing and overgrazing must be avoided. During the winter period GAEC allows a farmer to outwinter at a stocking density of two livestock units per hectare. GAEC requires the control of invasive species to the extent that land remains capable of agricultural production. Core actions Farmers must adhere to five-year plan for the maintenance of grassland and soil quality. The core winter period is identified during which the outwintering of livestock cannot exceed one livestock unit per hectare. The plan will specifically outline how and where animals are to be outwintered. Amount/ha: €10.20 in respect of grassland farmers Follow up: Compliance with the core wintering and stocking density will be checked during on-farm audits, and non-compliance will result in application of penalties. Additional biodiversity options
Objective: To provide greater biodiversity by allowing grasses and wild flowers to mature and seed in situ Core action: Select and maintain 0.4 ha or 8 per cent of holding (whichever is greater), subject to a maximum of 1.6 hectares as a traditional hay meadow. Amount: €7/ha33 Baseline: Forage produced and conserved in a manner that maximises quality and yield
Objective: To provide greater biodiversity through a specific grazing plan, which maximises diversity rather than forage production Core action: Select and maintain 0.4 ha or 8 per cent of holding (whichever is greater), subject to a maximum of 1.6 hectares as a species rich grassland. Amount: €7 per hectare Baseline: Grassland grazed in a manner that avoids both over-and under-grazing
Reseeding land to maintain high clover levels. Objective: To reduce the dependence on nitrogenous fertilisers by the incorporation of white clover into grassland swards Core action: Incorporate clover into 25 per cent or 5 hectares, whichever is the lesser, of the grassland swards of the farm. Amount: €23 per hectare Baseline: There is no requirement under GAEC to maintain white clover as a component of grassland.
Objective: To improve the recycling of organic nitrogen on livestock holdings and to contribute to reduced nitrous oxide, ammonia emissions and odours. Core action: Spread all slurry using the trailing shoe technology Amount: €10 per hectare Baseline: No requirement under GAEC to use this technology
Objective: To enhance identified non-Natura 2000 habitats in the interest of biodiversity by managing high rush, bracken, gorse, hazel and blackthorn populations in grassland habitats using targeted chemical/manual means. Retain carefully managed dispersed population of these species in these habitats for enhanced biodiversity. Core action: Select and maintain 0.5 ha or 10 per cent of holding (whichever is the greater) subject to a maximum of two hectares as a scrub mosaic. The removal of selected species by manual grubbing or spot treatment with selective herbicides will be required. Amount: €12 per hectare Baseline: GAEC allows the non-selective control (mechanical grubbing) of these species, with no requirement to consider biodiversity benefits. GAEC does not require the management of existing scrub populations. What is required is that existing populations do not expand/encroach on to utilisable agricultural land to such an extent that it cannot be used for agricultural purposes. This measure targets the management of areas with high densities of existing scrub species to maximise biodiversity potential and is not targeted to control species encroaching from hedgerows. ACTION 3: Protect and maintain watercourses, waterbodies and wells Riparian margins are an important habitat to a wide range of flora and fauna. The development of streamside vegetation strengthens channel banks and acts as a buffer strip to intercept overland flow of nutrients. Buffer zones around wells also contribute to the protection of water quality. Objective: Protect water quality and enhance biodiversity along watercourses by avoiding nutrient enrichment and siltation of water from agriculture and allow natural streamside vegetation to develop. Scope and actions: Planners in preparing individual plans will identify all watercourses and wells on the holding identify current practices and prescribe a work schedule for the protection and enhancement of these watercourses, waterbodies and wells. Relevant baseline: The spreading of fertilisers in the buffer zones adjacent to waterbodies is not permitted. Farmers can graze livestock up to the watercourse edge. There is no requirement to fence or remove the build-up of silt. Core actions: Grassland farmers are required to fence off watercourses and wells, leaving a margin of 1.5 metres. Fences, where required by the scheme specifications and irrespective of the presence of livestock, must be in place at all times for the duration of the REPS contract. Any exception to this requirement must be clearly detailed in individual REPS plans. On the basis of appropriate justification, fences may be foreseen as moveable. All farmers are required to remove silt from watercourse and scrape bottom and sides to original depths in accordance with their management plan. Amount: €29.3 (grassland farmers); €20.5 (arable farmers) per hectare Additional biodiversity options
Objective: To create a wider margin adjacent to water bodies to intercept overland flow of nutrients and enhance biodiversity. Core action Increase the width of fenced watercourse margin to 2.5 metres. Amount: €8 per hectare Baseline: The spreading of fertilisers in the buffer zones adjacent to water bodies is not permitted. Farmers can graze livestock up to the watercourse edge. There is no requirement to fence or remove the build-up of silt.
Objective: To protect water quality and avoid physical damage to the watercourse by preventing bovine access to watercourses. Core action: Provide an alternative source of drinking water to bovines. Amount: €5 per hectare Baseline: Under GAEC there is no restriction preventing bovines from drinking from watercourses.
Objective: To reduce the risk of nutrient loss into watercourses & protect vulnerable soils & catchments Core Action: Plant 500 square metres or 1 per cent of the holding (whichever is the greater) to a maximum of 2,000 square metres of willow/alder buffer strips of a minimum five metre width, adjacent to identified watercourses. Amount: €8.5 per hectare Baseline: Planted buffer zones are not a requirement of GAEC. ACTION 4: Retain wildlife habitats Wildlife habitats may be on any area of a farm, but the most important ones are often areas peripheral to normal farming operations. These areas have largely been undisturbed by drainage, ploughing, re-seeding nor have they been subjected to heavy fertiliser or herbicide use. Thus they retain their unique characteristics. Some habitats have developed naturally during the 10,000 years since the last Ice Age and are irreplaceable, while other habitats have developed as a result of centuries of traditional farming practice and are dependent upon the continuation of that management. Land set aside for wildlife habitat use will have to be kept in good condition. The wildlife habitats protected under GAEC are those designated under the birds and habitats directives, commonages governed by a commonage framework plan and nationally designated natural heritage areas. Agri-environment actions, on the other hand, require that habitats identified on farms other than those to which GAEC applies must also be retained and managed. The retention of these areas under REPS, which could otherwise be lost, makes a significant contribution to the Irish landscape and wild flora and fauna. All the habitats identified on a farm must be clearly marked on the farm map prepared by the planner. The habitats to be retained are diverse in nature ranging from small ponds to large areas of blanket peat. Objective: To retain wildlife habitats, and traditional farm boundaries, and promote farming practices that and beneficial to wildlife and conservation Scope and actions: The planner must identify all habitats on the farm, other than those to which GAEC applies (national heritage areas, commonage land under the Commonage Framework Plan and Natura). The planner must specify how these habitats are to be retained and managed. Relevant baseline: Compliance with requirements applicable to Natural Heritage Areas, Natura sites and Wildlife Act 2001. There is no mandatory requirement to retain habitats outside these designations. Core actions: All habitat areas must be identified and mapped during the REPS planning process. This requires the nomination of a minimum of 3 per cent of the farm in the case of grassland farmers and 2 per cent of the farm in the case of tillage farmers for wildlife habitat. The plan will detail how these habitats are to be retained and managed. This restricts the farmer from utilising this land to its full agricultural potential. Amount: €21.5 per hectare for grassland farmers; €19.2per hectare for arable farmers Follow up: Compliance will be checked during on-farm audits, and non-compliance will result in application of penalties. Additional biodiversity options:
Objective: To create new habitats on farms, thus increasing the area of the farm under habitat protection and increase biodiversity Core action: Permanently fence and maintain a minimum of 0.2 hectares or 4 per cent of the holding, whichever is the greater, subject to a maximum of 0.8 hectares, as habitat. Amount: €23 per hectare Baseline: GAEC does not require the creation of new habitat. This measure goes beyond the requirement of the core action to retain wildlife habitats.
The actions under this measure are non-productive and are in accordance with the requirements of Measure 216. The option is linked to the achievement of commitments under Agri-environment Measure 214 and is included as an integrated measure. Objective: To encourage the planting of native broadleaf trees which have a significant impact on biodiversity and landscape. Core action: Plant one tree per hectare to a maximum of 40 hectares. The trees must be protected from livestock by suitable fencing. Amount: €13 per hectare per annum up to a maximum of 20 hectares over 5 years Baseline: GAEC does not require the planting of trees.
Objective: To protect our extensive range of field margins as they are an important source of plant diversity. This action provides the opportunity to increase field margins to 2.5m and links their protection with the protection of habitats. The synergy provided by both actions will deliver enhanced biodiversity and allow wildlife to move between identified habitats. Core action: Increase grassland field margins by 1metre on whole farm. Prohibition on the application of fertilisers and pesticides within 2.5 metres of hedgerows and stonewalls. Amount: €9 per hectare Baseline: There is no GAEC requirement to establish nature corridors.
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