High uptake of farming scheme extensions

THE Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, has confirmed that the vast majority of farmers in the Green Low Carbon Agri-environment Scheme (GLAS) and the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) have applied to extend their contracts for 2021.

The deadline for applications was December 31.

There has also been a high uptake to date in the replies on the extension of contracts under the Beef Data Genomics Programme (BDGP), which closes on January 15.

By Tuesday, January 5, 98 per cent of GLAS I and II participants had responded by the deadline and of these, 98 per cent applied to continue in the scheme for an additional year.

Some 97 per cent of OFS participants responded by the deadline and of these, 97 per cent applied to continue in the scheme for an additional year (2021).

Some 52 per cent of BDGP participants have responded to date and of these, 97 per cent have applied to continue in the scheme for 2021.

Noting the high level of interest in remaining in the schemes, Minister McConalogue said: ‘As I’ve said previously, these three schemes play an important role in Irish agriculture, notably in our climate, organic and sustainable beef production agendas.

‘I am pleased to see the significant numbers who are going to continue to participate in the schemes in 2021 while the new CAP is being finalised,’ he said.

‘I considered that it was important to maintain continuity during this interim period and am glad to see that so many have availed of the opportunity to extend their contracts for 2021.’