Objective: To protect water quality by creating a buffer thereby intercepting nutrients that may be transported by overland flow.
Core Actions:
Creation of a permanently fenced margin adjacent to identified watercourses.
This land cannot be used for agricultural production, but must be maintained annually.
Fence to prohibit animal access#
2.5 metre wide uncultivated strip along watercourse resulting in quantifiable loss of production plus annual maintenance cost
5 metre margin resulting in loss of production and annual maintenance cost
10 metre margin resulting in loss of production and annual maintenance cost
30 metre margin resulting in loss of production and annual maintenance cost.
€0.14/m
€0.34/m
€0.74/m
€2.70/m
OtSC: visual inspection
Cross checks to IACS databases.
12.
Provision of alternative water source for bovines.
National
Objective: To protect water quality and avoid physical damage to the watercourse by preventing bovine access to watercourses.#
Core Actions No bovine access to drinking points on watercourses adjacent to lands.
Fence off any water access drinking points.
Install water trough with piped water in suitable location 10 m from watercourse
# These options form part of Measure 216
Action No.
Area of Application
Description of Action and Objective
Payment
Controls
13.
Arable Margins
National
Objective: To increase carbon sequestration by grassing down arable land.
Core Actions:
Create 3-metre wide margin around the periphery of arable fields.
Mow margin each year post 15th August.
€0.23/m
OtSC: visual inspection
Cross checks to IACS databases.
-sowing specific green cover crop (e.g. mustard) at prescribed rate
-post sowing rolling
-annual rotation may take place for the duration of the contract subject to the annual establishment of a Green Cover area at least equal to the area declared in year 1.
€80/ha
OtSC: visual inspection
Cross checks to IACS databases.
15.
Use of trailing shoe technology
National
Objective: To contribute to reductions in Nitrous Oxide emissions.
Core Actions:
All slurry on farm must be spread using trailing shoe or injection system by 1st June
€0.77/cubic metre
OtSC: visual inspection
Cross checks to IACS databases.
16.
Min Till
National
Objective: To encourage the use of minimum tillage practices, thereby improving soil structure and increasing soil organic matter. This will also contribute to the protection of soil biota.
Core action: Farmers must establish cereals using minimum tillage techniques
€23/ha
OtSC: visual inspection
Cross checks to IACS databases.
Reversal in biodiversity decline (farmland bird species population)
Decline halted
Change in high nature value areas
Decline halted
Changes in gross nutrient balance
N/a
Increase in production of renewable energy
N/a
Option Specific Indicators (by priority)
BIODIVERSITY
Commonage land outside Natura Network
Type of indicator
Indicator
Target 2007-2013
Output
Number of farm holdings and holdings of other land managers receiving support
7,500
Total area under agri-environmental support
187,500 ha
Total number of contracts
7,500
Physical area under agri-environmental support
187,500 ha
Number of actions related to genetic resources
N/A
Result
Areas under successful land management
187,500 ha
Impact
Protection of birds and other wildlife and improvement of biotope network, reducing entry of harmful substances in bordering habitats, conservation of protected fauna and flora
- area of land
187,500 ha
Establishment and Maintenance of Habitats
Type of indicator
Indicator
Target 2007-2013
Output
Number of farm holdings and holdings of other land managers receiving support
5,631
Total area under agri-environmental support
2,816 ha
Total number of contracts
5,631
Physical area under agri-environmental support
2,816 ha
Number of actions related to genetic resources
N/A
Result
Areas under successful land management
2,816 ha
Impact
Protection of birds and other wildlife and improvement of biotope network, reducing entry of harmful substances in bordering habitats, conservation of protected fauna and flora
- Ha of wildlife habitats created
2,816 ha
Tree Planting and Management
Type of indicator
Indicator
Target 2007-2013
Output
Number of farm holdings and holdings of other land managers receiving support
678
Total area under agri-environmental support
67.5 ha
Total number of contracts
678
Physical area under agri-environmental support
67.5 ha
Number of actions related to genetic resources
N/A
Result
Areas under successful land management
67.5 ha
Impact
Protection of birds and other wildlife and improvement of biotope network, reducing entry of harmful substances in bordering habitats, conservation of protected fauna and flora
- No. of trees planted
13,565 trees
Traditional Hay Meadows
Type of indicator
Indicator
Target 2007-2013
Output
Number of farm holdings and holdings of other land managers receiving support
2,436
Total area under agri-environmental support
9,746 ha
Total number of contracts
2,436
Physical area under agri-environmental support
9,746 ha
Number of actions related to genetic resources
N/A
Result
Areas under successful land management
9,746 ha
Impact
Conservation of species rich vegetation types, production and maintenance of grasslands
-Ha of traditional hay meadow
9,746 ha
Species Rich Grassland
Type of indicator
Indicator
Target 2007-2013
Output
Number of farm holdings and holdings of other land managers receiving support
2,436
Total area under agri-environmental support
9,746 ha
Total number of contracts
2,436
Physical area under agri-environmental support
9,746 ha
Number of actions related to genetic resources
N/A
Result
Areas under successful land management
9,746 ha
Impact
Conservation of species rich vegetation types, production and maintenance of grasslands
- Ha of species rich grassland
9,746 ha
Conservation of Animal Genetic Resources
Type of indicator
Indicator
Target 2007-2013
Output
Number of farm holdings and holdings of other land managers receiving support
Number of farm holdings and holdings of other land managers receiving support
908
Total area under agri-environmental support
45 ha
Total number of contracts
908
Physical area under agri-environmental support
45 ha
Number of actions related to genetic resources
1
Result
Areas under successful land management
45 ha
Impact
Conservation of genetic resources
- No. of traditional trees planted
9,075 trees
Wild Bird Cover
Type of indicator
Indicator
Target 2007-2013
Output
Number of farm holdings and holdings of other land managers receiving support
1,502
Total area under agri-environmental support
3,003 ha
Total number of contracts
1,502
Physical area under agri-environmental support
3,003 ha
Number of actions related to genetic resources
N/A
Result
Areas under successful land management
3,003 ha
Impact
Protection of birds and other wildlife and improvement of biotope network, reducing entry of harmful substances in bordering habitats, conservation of protected fauna and flora
- Ha of wild bird cover
3,003 ha
Hedgerow Planting and Rejuvenation
Type of indicator
Indicator
Target 2007-2013
Output
Number of farm holdings and holdings of other land managers receiving support
1,775
Total area under agri-environmental support
354,954 m
Total number of contracts
1,775
Physical area under agri-environmental support
354,954 m
Number of actions related to genetic resources
N/A
Result
Areas under successful land management
354,954 m
Impact
Protection of birds and other wildlife and improvement of biotope network, reducing entry of harmful substances in bordering habitats, conservation of protected fauna and flora
- m of hedgerow rejuvenated
354,954 m
Dry Stone Wall Maintenance
Type of indicator
Indicator
Target 2007-2013
Output
Number of farm holdings and holdings of other land managers receiving support
1,815
Total area under agri-environmental support
1,815,000 m
Total number of contracts
1,815
Physical area under agri-environmental support
1,815,000 m
Number of actions related to genetic resources
N/A
Result
Areas under successful land management
1,815,000 m
Impact
Protection of birds and other wildlife and improvement of biotope network, reducing entry of harmful substances in bordering habitats, conservation of protected fauna and flora
- m of dry stone walls maintained
1,815,000 m
WATER QUALITY
Riparian Margins
Type of indicator
Indicator
Target 2007-2013
Output
Number of farm holdings and holdings of other land managers receiving support
2,760
Total area under agri-environmental support
4,140 ha
Total number of contracts
2,760
Physical area under agrienvironmental support
4,140 ha
Number of actions related to genetic resources
N/A
Result
Areas under successful land management
4,140 ha
Impact
Conservation of high-value water bodies, protection and improvement of water quality
- area of riparian margin
4,140 ha
Provision of Alternative Water Source for Bovines
Type of indicator
Indicator
Target 2007-2013
Output
Number of farm holdings and holdings of other land managers receiving support
4,688
Total area under agri-environmental support
18,750 alternative water sources
Total number of contracts
4,688
Physical area under agrienvironmental support
18,750 alternative water sources
Number of actions related to genetic resources
N/A
Result
Areas under successful land management
18,750 alternative water sources
Impact
Changes in gross nutrient balance
Protection and improvement of water quality
Surplus reduced
18,750 alternative water sources
CLIMATE CHANGE
Arable Margins
Type of indicator
Indicator
Target 2007-2013
Output
Number of farm holdings and holdings of other land managers receiving support
Number of farm holdings and holdings of other land managers receiving support
1,032
Total area under agri-environmental support
10,313 ha
Total number of contracts
1,032
Physical area under agrienvironmental support
10,313 ha
Number of actions related to genetic resources
N/A
Result
Areas under successful land management
10,313 ha
Impact
Contributing to combating climate change
Positive
Trailing Shoe Technology
Type of indicator
Indicator
Target 2007-2013
Output
Number of farm holdings and holdings of other land managers receiving support
2,061
Total area under agri-environmental support
535,715m3
Total number of contracts
2,061
Physical area under agrienvironmental support
535,715m3
Number of actions related to genetic resources
N/A
Result
Areas under successful land management
535,715m3
Impact
Contributing to combating climate change
Reduction of Nitrous Oxide
Reduction of Ammonia
Positive
3,536kg
173,573kg
Min-Till
Type of indicator
Indicator
Target 2007-2013
Output
Number of farm holdings and holdings of other land managers receiving support
599
Total area under agri-environmental support
17,934 ha
Total number of contracts
599
Physical area under agri-environmental support
17,934 ha
Number of actions related to genetic resources
N/A
Result
Areas under successful land management
17,934 ha
Impact
Contribution to combating climate change.
Positive
Agri-Environment Measure 214
Overall Measure Level Indicators
Type of indicator
Indicator
REPS Target
AEOS Overall Scheme Indicators
AEOS & REPS Combined
Output
Number of farm holdings and holdings of other land managers receiving support
64,000
15,000
79,000
Total area under agri-environmental support
2.25m hectares
225,000 ha
2.48 m hectares
Total number of contracts
64,000
15,000
79,000
Physical area under agri-environmental support
2.25m hectares
225,000 ha
2.48 m hectares
Number of actions related to genetic resources
10 actions
1
11 actions
Result
Areas under successful land management
2.25m hectares
225,000 ha
2.48 m hectares
Impact
Impact
Reversal in biodiversity decline
Increase in farmland bird index
Increase in unpolluted length of rivers
Average no. of habitats on non-target area
Decline halted
100
72 per cent of length
maintain 1 per farm
Reversal in biodiversity decline (Farmland bird species population)
Decline halted
Reversal in biodiversity decline - Biodiversity Decline halted
Increase in farmland bird index (100)
Increase in unpolluted length of rivers (72 per cent of length)
Average no. of habitats on non-target area (maintain 1 per farm)
Maintenance of high nature value farmland and forestry
(750,000ha)
Maintenance of quality farm buildings (1 per farm)
Protection of archaeological features (1 per farm)
No. of new features discovered (10 per cent increase)
Likert landscape assessment (not applicable)
Improvement in water quality:
Increase in unpolluted length of rivers
Decrease of slightly/moderately polluted length
Soil P index
Fertiliser P use
Reduced Chemical N use
Increase
72 per cent of length
31 per cent of length
75 per cent of samples @ 2/3
5kg/ha
20 per cent compared to non-REPS
Changes in gross nutrient balance
N/a
Improvement in water quality:
Increase in unpolluted length of rivers (72 per cent of length)
Decrease of slightly/ moderately polluted length (31 per cent of length)
Changes in gross nutrient balance:
Soil P index (75 per cent of samples @ 2/3)
Fertiliser P use (5kg/ha)
Reduced Chemical N use ( 20 per cent compared to non-REPS)
