GLAS

G reen L ow-carbon A gri-environment S cheme 2

Green – preserves and enhances the natural environment Low-carbon – retains carbon stocks in soil through margins and habitat preservation Agri-environment – promotes agricultural production methods compatible with the protection of the environment, water quality, biodiversity and climate change mitigation 3

Designed specifically to address issues of... 4

5 Species and habitats Water quality Climate Change

I am an agricultural advisor how do I register for GLAS? 6

Have completed GLAS training (and additional Commonage training) Be registered for FAS, GLAS and BPS Provide details of qualifications and PI Be separately authorised by a group of commonage farmers to prepare a Commonage Management Plan as part of their GLAS application Only approved agricultural advisors will have access to the GLAS online system 7

I am a farmer, how do I apply for GLAS? 8

Your online application is completed by an approved agricultural advisor All approved applicants need a nutrient management plan within a year You must attend training in environmental practices and standards You must keep records of actions undertaken for inspection. 9

Tier 1(a) - priority environmental assets 10 Commonage Birds High Status WaterRare Breeds Natura

Tier 1(b) – priority environmental actions If an applicant has a whole-farm stocking-rate exceeding 140kg livestock manure nitrogen per hectare, or Have more than 30 hectares of arable crops. They may choose a relevant required action, i.e. low-emission slurry spreading, minimum tillage, catch crops or wild bird cover. 11

Tier 2(a) Environmental assets & actions Applicant does not have any priority environmental assets, but land includes a vulnerable water area, is classified as ‘wet’ and they keep bovines Applicant can also seek entry by undertaking specific priority actions – protection of watercourses or riparian margins 12

Tier 2(b) Environmental assets & actions Choose and plan for one of the following actions (minimum land area) Catch crops – arable farm <30ha Minimum tillage – arable farm <30ha Low-emission slurry spreading – livestock farm <140kg N/ha Wild bird cover – livestock farm <140kg N/ha 13

Tier 3 General actions If applicant does not qualify under Tiers 1 or 2, s/he can still apply under Tier 3 by selecting a range of actions from a menu of options. 14

15 What are the general actions ?

 Low-input permanent pasture  Traditional hay meadow  Riparian margins  Coppicing, laying or planting new hedgerows  Planting a grove of native trees or traditional orchard  Traditional stone wall maintenance  Minimum tillage  Low-emission slurry spreading 16

general actions continued  Environmental management of fallow land  Arable grass margins  Catch crops  Protection of water courses from bovines  Protection of archaeological sites  Wild bird cover  Bird, bee and bat boxes 17

How much will farmers be paid? The maximum payment is €5,000 each year, for a five year contract. 18

What is GLAS+? GLAS+ provides an additional payment for farmers making exceptional environmental commitment. Normally, requires at least two PEAs, where combined actions exceed €5,000 p.a. Farmers who have bird PEAs, qualify automatically, if they manage enough land. There is no separate application and the payment will be made automatically. 19

Natura sites – what needs to be done? The advisor must draw up a Sustainable Management Plan (SMP) to preserve the species and habitats found on the holding Participant must farm the land according to the SMP and the prescription outlined in the scheme specifications 20

Farmland birds – what needs to be done? The objective is to promote and create suitable habitat for breeding and foraging. The advisor prepares the online application, and the land is farmed according prescription outlined in the scheme specifications. 21

High status water course – what needs to be done? Parcels must be contiguous to the watercourse. If there is cattle, the water course must be fenced. If the land is under crops, the riparian margin action must be chosen. (Action does not apply where only sheep involved.) 22

Rare Breeds – what needs to be done? Written details of membership of the listed breed societies for 2012 and/or 2013 is submitted with the application. The farmer must remain a member of the society for the duration of their GLAS contract. Payment is for up to 10 livestock units and paid in arrears. 23

GLAS and Afforestation Afforestation is fully compatible with GLAS and contributes to the creation of a landscape mosaic at farm-level. It is important to note that GLAS is not a whole-farm scheme and opportunities continue to exist for afforestation and for other forestry schemes on parcels that are not in GLAS. 24

25 FAQs are on the Website → Farmer Schemes & Payments → GLAS → FAQs GLAS GLAS Lo Call Number: