Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS)
What is REPS?
The Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS), is a scheme designed to reward farmers for carrying out farming activities in an environmentally friendly manner and to bring about environmental improvement on existing farms.
REPS 4 closed to new entrants
On 9 July 2009 the REPS 4 scheme was closed by the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Food to new applicants. This means that farmers who did not submit a new REPS 4 plan before this date will not be accepted into the scheme. However, a record 17,000 applications were received by the Department of Agriculture for the 2009 scheme. This brings the total level of participation to approximately 62,000.
Objectives of the Scheme
- establish farming practices and production methods which reflect the increasing concern for conservation, landscape protection and wider environmental problems;
- protect wildlife habitats and endangered species of flora and fauna;
- produce quality food in an extensive and environmentally friendly manner.
Teagasc REPS Support Service
It
is extremely important that REPS participants continue to do all they can to
protect their REPS payment by ensuring full compliance with their REPS plan.Teagasc is the leading provider of support services to REPS
participants. Our REPS support service assists farmers in implementing their
REPS plans and completing annual records.
Teagasc REPS Education Service
REPS participants must complete a REPS course before the end of year 2 of their REPS 4 plan. Participants who have not completed a 20 hour course associated with REPS 2 or 3, must complete a REPS 10 hour appreciation course. All other participants must complete an approved REPS course, either the 10-hour Appreciation Course an approved 5-hour training module before the end of period 2.
Teagasc is the leading provider of Department of Agriculture approved 10 hour and 5 hour REPS courses.
For further details contact your local Teagasc Office.
Some Facts about REPS in Ireland
- At the close of REPS 4 over 62,000 farmers were in REPS
- that means up to 50% of the utilisable agricultural area is being farmed under REPS guidelines
Useful Downloads
- REPS 4 Information Leaflet
- REPS 4 Farmer's Handbook
- REPS 4 Terms and Conditions
- Other REPS 4 Documents (DAFF)
Factsheets
