A number of actions under GLAS 1 and 2 need to be completed by certain dates in 2017 in order to comply with the scheme and ensure payment.
Most of the deadline dates in 2017 under GLAS 1 are in the first three months of the year while GLAS 2 farmers have completion dates towards the back end of the year.
GLAS 1
Under GLAS 1, farmers need to complete a range of actions in 2017 to comply with the scheme.
Hedgerows
All selected hedgerows under the scheme need to be coppiced by February 28, 2017 and all selected hedgerows also need to be layed by this date.
Infilling must be carried out if gaps are present in the hedgerow that will not be filled by re-growth from the coppiced hedgerow, according to the Department.
Any plants that die must be replaced during the next dormant season. Infilling of gaps must be undertaken by February 28, 2017.
If you selected to plant a new hedgerow under GLAS, you must plant a minimum continuous length of 10m of new hedgerow consisting of six plants per metre in a double row of whitethorn and/or blackthorn and/or holly before March 31, 2017.
Monuments – grassland
Under the protection and maintenance of archaeological monuments option of the GLAS scheme, vegetation around a visible archaeological monument in an eligible grassland parcel needs to be managed.
Initially vegetation needs to be managed by February 28, 2017 and annually thereafter.
Traditional Orchards
For farmers who selected the traditional orchards action under tranche one of GLAS, they must plant a small orchard of 0.05ha containing 10 fruit trees before the March 31, 2017.
GLAS 2
Meanwhile, farmers who were successful in applying to tranche two of GLAS also need to complete several options.
Hedgerows
All selected hedgerows need to be coppiced by November 30, 2017 by cutting stems to less than 15cm from ground level.
Like GLAS 1, infilling must be carried out if gaps are present in the hedgerow that will not be filled by re-growth from the coppiced hedgerow.
Farmers need to plant a minimum of four plants/m consisting of whitethorn, blackthorn or holly in line with the existing hedge.
Any plants that die must be replaced during the next dormant season. Infilling of gaps must be undertaken by November 30, 2017.
Also similar to GLAS 1, all selected hedgerows need to be layed by November 30, 2017.
Planting a Grove of Native Trees
Under the requirements of the schemes, a minimum area of 0.05ha containing 250 trees and/or maximum area of 0.09ha with 450 trees must be planted by March 31, 2017 in one location identified on the LPIS parcel selected and mark on the map submitted.
However, farmers should note the area where the grove will be planted MUST BE fenced off by October 31, 2016 whether the grove has been planted by then or not.
Monuments – grassland
Vegetation must be managed on and around at least one visible monument initially by September 30, 2017 and annually thereafter under this action.
