Added value of Community involvement

7. Strategic Environmental Assessment

As required by the Terms of Reference a Strategic Environmental Assessment that assesses the likely impact on the environment of the measures proposed in the RDP has been prepared by the evaluators. This is summarised below. The full version is found in appendix 10.

1. Definition and Scope of Strategic Environmental Assessment

The SEA is the formal, systematic evaluation of the significant environmental effects of a plan or programme before a decision is made to adopt and implement it. As part of that process an Environmental Report is prepared and is included as part of the overall ex-ante evaluation. The SEA identifies those aspects of the proposed Programme that are likely to have a significant environmental effect and establishes the necessary control and monitoring measures that will apply in reducing such adverse effects.

2. Outline description of the Measures proposed

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.

2. Baseline Environmental Information

Irish agriculture is predominantly extensive and grass-based. Tillage occupies some 10 per cent of utilisable agricultural area; most of the remainder is devoted to cattle and sheep farming. 75 per cent of the utilisable area is currently categorised as disadvantaged, and 77 per cent of farmers qualify for Less Favoured Areas payments.

Ireland’s water quality compares well with that of most other EU countries although there is evidence of slight or moderate pollution in certain rivers and lakes. In the case of air the Environmental Protection Agency reports that serious outdoor air quality problems no longer exist in Ireland. They also note, however, that emissions from road traffic are the primary threat to the quality of air in Ireland.

Emissions from the agricultural sector are forecast to fall substantially through the Kyoto commitment period 2008–2012 to some 12 per cent below 1990 levels. These projections assume the full decoupling of agricultural support from production, as is now underway.

Ireland’s National Biodiversity Plan envisages a major role for agriculture and forestry. This includes the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) that now places a far greater emphasis on biodiversity and, for example, has specific measures for the conservation and maintenance of hedgerows. 75 per cent of our agricultural land is classed as ‘Less Favoured Areas’ and a similar proportion of High Nature Value areas are situated in them. Forestry, and in particular well-planned forestry, can contribute positively to biodiversity.

Forestry also has a significant contribution to make to Renewable Energy. For example, based on the level of afforestation established since the mid-1980s, the contribution of forestry thinnings to the national energy supply chain will increase ten-fold between 2006 and 2020.

2. Anticipated Environmental Effects arising from Axis 1 Measures

‘Traditional’ lower intensity farming with fewer inputs may be replaced by more efficient and productive agricultural practices, and the potential for adverse effects on the environment may increase somewhat. However, the Axis 1 objective of having a younger, better trained farming community should have positive benefits as they are more likely to be environmentally aware and to have the necessary farm management skills and capability to reduce or eliminate any significant (negative) environmental effects that increased farm productivity might have.

The central theme of the Farm Improvement Measures is to promote diversification of farm activities that are supported in a manner that promotes higher standards for environmental protection, health, safety and animal welfare. Maintenance of diversification of land use also has an impact of maintaining and protecting established landscapes. These all have potentially positive environmental effects of varying significance.

In the case of forestry, extensive areas of single species plantations have been the norm in the past and these can in many instances have adverse implications for biodiversity. In this instance the Programme seeks to shift to more dispersed, better managed, plantations. This provides the opportunity for the creation of greater diversity of habitat for flora and fauna at forest margins and consequent benefits for the encouragement of biodiversity.

Adherence to the Code of Best Forest Practice will be of key importance in the case of protection of water quality as there is real potential for adverse impacts as described in more detail under Afforestation Related Measures below.

The Programme also proposes to encourage the manufacture of downstream value-added forest products. Where production facilities result these will be subject to development consent from the local authority in whose administrative area the enterprise is to be established. Where large-scale downstream projects (e.g. paper or board mills) arise that are likely to have significant environmental effects. These are subject to detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on a project-by-project basis under the EU EIA Directive.