The Rural Development Programme, Proposed Measures Paul Dillon 21 February 2014.

Previous RDP ( ) Axis 1 Competitiveness (10%) –Training –Early retirement and installation aid –Farm improvement Axis 2 Environment (80%) –LFAs –REPS/AEOS/Natura Axis 3 Wider Rural Economy (10%) –Measures delivered through LEADER

Objectives and Priorities of new RDP 3 objectives –Fostering the competitiveness of agriculture –Ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources and climate action –Achieving balanced territorial development of rural communities Cross cutting objectives – innovation, climate change and environment

Objectives and Priorities (2) 6 priorities for rural development –Knowledge transfer and innovation –Enhancing competitiveness –Promoting food chain organisation, animal welfare and risk management –Restoring, preserving and enhancing ecosystems –Promoting resource efficiency and a low carbon economy –Promoting social inclusion and economic recovery

RDP funding Overall Financing –€2.191 billion from EU (7% for LEADER) -€1.715 billion from exchequer –€3.9 billion for (over €4bn with LEADER)

Proposed Measures 1.Agri-environment climate measures 1(a) GLAS and GLAS + Structure takes into account key challenges –Core requirements for all GLAS applicants Application approved by planner Nutrient Management Plan Compulsory knowledge transfer Record keeping

Proposed Measures (2) –Tier 1 Priority entry for GLAS Actions you must undertake to get priority access if they apply to your farm –Habitat conservation (natura sites eg freshwater pearl mussel) –Conservation of bird species (eg corncrake, twite) –Uplands conservation (commonages only) –Watercourse fencing where field is in grass –Watercourse buffer zones where field in tillage If the above aren’t applicable you must undertake one of these actions to get priority access –Low emission slurry spreading –Minimum tillage –Green cover establishment from a sown crop –Wild bird / flower cover

Proposed Measures (3) Tier 2 General Environmental Actions GLAS –Low input permanent pasture / hay meadow –Riparian margins –Coppicing hedgerows and laying hedgerows –Traditional stone wall maintenance –Tree planting –Enlarged headlands –Cultivation of tramlines –Environmental management of fallow land –Arable margins –Rare breeds –Birds, bees and bat boxes

Proposed Measures (4) Farmers who have gained priority access can take on general actions to maximise their payment Planners required to advise farmers on most suitable actions Costing of specific actions is being done Envisaged as building up to 50,000 farmers at max €5,000 (possible GLAS+)

Proposed Measures (5) 1(b) Organic Farming Scheme –Examining options for increased participation –Possible integration with GLAS to top up OFS payments 1(c) Targeted output based schemes –Possible expansion of Burren Scheme –Competitive fund for similar structures aimed at key challenges

Proposed Measures (6) 2. Areas of Natural Constraint –Formerly LFA / DAS –Proposal to continue at current level –Biophysical criteria for designation to be introduced by 2018.

Proposed Measures (7) 3.On Farm Capital Investments –Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme II Dairy equipment Slurry storage Animal Housing Bionergy Trailing shoe –Support for Young Farmers under TAMS II Higher rate of aid intensity

Proposed Measures (8) 4.Knowledge Transfer Measures –European Innovation Partnership –Knowledge Transfer Groups / EIP –CPD for advisors –Targeted Advisory Service on Animal Health and Welfare

Proposed Measures (9) 5.Collaborative and Quality Focused Measures –Support for collaborative farming –Artisan food cooperation schemes –Support for quality schemes

Proposed Measures (10) 6.Targeted Support –Beef Data and Genomics Programme Build on 2014 scheme Tissue tags, sampling for genotyping, data recording and submission etc Rising to a €50m scheme –Support for Island Farming

Proposed Measures (11) 7.LEADER –Separate focused consultation to facilitate bottom up approach –Initial themes identified as part of SWOT and Needs analyses and incorporating CEDRA analysis – rural enterprise, social inclusion, broadband, environmental issues, rural youth etc.

Questions How many farmers? All on-line? When will schemes open & close? Demand exceeds supply? Cost (to farmers) of lodging applications? Submitting nutrient management plans? Knowledge transfer & CPD: why?

Constructive Suggestions? Send them to us Thank you

Paul Dillon Assistant Secretary General, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co. Wexford, Ireland. Tel +353 (0)