And will it be a Green Moon?

By Bernie Leahy, B&T Drystock Adviser, Teagasc Galway/Clare

A new EU Directive was signed into law for the protection of birds in late June this year. The new law proposed by the European Commission will require the time bound restoration of 20% of land and sea area by 2030.

According to a recent report by Birdwatch Ireland, 85% of Ireland’s internationally important habitats are in poor condition and not able to function properly so we cannot fully avail of the services they provide such as carbon storage in peatlands and flood attenuation.

• 26% of Ireland’s regularly occurring bird species are red listed birds of conservation concern in Ireland with farmland birds the fastest declining group of birds.
• One third of Ireland’s wild bee species are threatened with extinction.

Strong and healthy habitats are needed to help us both to mitigate and adapt to climate breakdown. Restoring nature is a critical tool in the climate toolbox.

Farmers, Particularly Drystock Farmers becoming a “Rare Species”:

Farmers are often blamed for destruction and loss of Habitat value of our farmlands.

However farmers are guided by Government policy. Since EU entry in 1972 farmers have been paid to increase production of beef, lamb, milk and tillage products. Up to the late eighties, Intervention payments ensured that farmers beef market prices were protected with a basic guaranteed price. Dismantling of this regime was the start of a CAP regime which favoured cheap food policy to the detriment of farm incomes.

Educating Farmers:

AETS courses nationally which focus on future CAP Schemes, Farm Safety, and the future Environmental Schemes.

Results Based Scores are the future for environment schemes. Fields get a relative score based on a combination of assessments, which cover Positive Indicator Species, Density of Hedgerows, Field Margins, and increased Buffer Zones at Watercourses. Fields are also scored for Negative Indicator Species such as Docks, Creeping Thistles and Nettles. Farmers are also informed about invasive species and their control.

Poisonous Plants:

Common Ragwort is listed under the Noxious Weed Act (1936). Cattle and horses can accumulate toxins over a period with a fatal outcome. Ovines are not affected by it. Hand rogueing is the most effective control provided plants are removed immediately.

Marsh Ragwort of the same family Senecio is not poisonous but can be found in grazed wetlands and callows.

Bracken Ferns are becoming very common in headlands and are poisonous to stock if ingested.

The flower Foxglove with its pink spire like flower heads is also poisonous but is mostly found in headlands.

Invasive Species:

Japanese Knotweed spreads very easily from cuttings and is only effectively controlled by root herbicide treatment in autumn to early December.

Another invasive weed is Himalayan Balsam, with its exotic pink flowers, is becoming more common and spreads by seed dispersal. Removal of flowers and careful disposal (not in bogs) will prevent its spread.

Farming for Nature:

Since 1994 over 50,000 farmers have participated in Environmental schemes such as REPS, AEOS 1, 2 & 3, GLAS 1, 2 & 3 and the REAP Pilot Scheme in 2021.

The New ACRES Environmental scheme is expected to rolled by the ACRES Section (DAFM) by September 2022.

Tier 1:

These applicants will have to complete mandatory actions relevant to the Priority Environmental Assets (PEA) on their holding.

These comprise of private natura, commonage, geese and swans area, breeding wader mapped areas and catchments identified as having high status water. Registered organic farmers will also qualify for priority access under Tier 1.

Tier 2:

Farmers whose lands include a Vulnerable Water Area may apply for access to the Scheme.

Applicants in the Native Woodland Establishment Scheme or GPC 11 — Agro-forestry are also eligible.  Farms with a stocking rate exceeding 130kg organic N/ha are also eligible.

Tillage farms of more than 30ha of arable crops can also fit into this tier.

Tier 3:

Farmers in Tier 3 will be last to get access to the Scheme and will undertake various actions outlined by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).

All farmers will have to have a Farm Sustainability Plan drawn up by a DAFM approved Advisor along with an application form which must be submitted by November 2022.

Consider Your Options!

Future Environment schemes such as ACRES may yield a smaller income for those in the Tier 3 category. With low field scores 10 ha’s may only pay €2,000 for area based actions.  The average payment of €5,000, which farmers earned in GLAS, will be difficult to achieve in the new ACRES Scheme for the average Tier 3 applicant.

Also note extra actions taken cannot be duplicated with ECO Schemes (replacing Greening in 2023).

Embrace Change for Survival!

• Consider joining Organic Farming Scheme (registered Organic Farmers) to open October 2022. Contact local Teagasc Advisor and Organic bodies for more information. 7% of UAA organic by 2027.
• Consider joining Producer Groups (Beltex, Texel Sheep Producers supply QualEUtex is a local successful group). DAFM funding is available for such groups.
• Consider investment in Farm Building Conversion for accommodation. Agri-tourism grants available via LEADER (LEO Galway - 091 509090).
• Consider further training via Options Portal (Teagasc Options Co-Ordinators and Galway/Roscommon Education and Training Boards (GRETB) (Pauline Dillon - Information Officer - 087-0552292.)
• Consider installation of Solar Panels as LT investment to reduce energy costs for farm and domestic use.
• Consider forestry for amenity use. (Part of Government policy for 7% of land in forestry by 2030 - Teagasc Forestry Advisor - Noel Kennedy – 087 9090504).