There is just three weeks remaining for farmers to apply to tranche three of the Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS).

The five-year scheme which opened in February 2015 is set to cater for 50,000 farmers and there is room for 12,000 farmers to apply.

One week on from the scheme opening in November, 3,200 farmers had applied to the scheme.

The main changes between GLAS 2 (tranche two) and GLAS 3 (tranche three) are the addition of two actions to the bird measures (twite bird protection).

GLAS Farm Planners has confirmed that it is experiencing a huge demand from farmers wanting to join the scheme.

Now, with just three weeks remaining for farmers to enter the scheme, farmers are urged to contact a GLAS advisor immediately to discuss if they are interested in joining the scheme.

Advisors are working vigorously to complete GLAS Plans and GLAS Nutrient Management Plans.

Farmers are urged not to wait until the last minute to contact their advisor, that given the high interest in the scheme it is likely that the target of 12,000 farmers will be reached.

This will mean the scheme will close to new applicants and that this tranche is the last opportunity for farmers to join the scheme.

A farmer wishing to join the scheme must apply to the Department of Agriculture and a GLAS planner can submit the application on behalf of the farmer. The closing date for applications is December 15.

Entry into GLAS is divided into three tiers:

Tier 1

Tier 1 farmers are those who have Priority Environmental Assets (PEA) on their farms e.g. Farmland habitats, Farmland birds, Commonages, Rare breeds, and High Status Water Area.

Applicants with PEA are guaranteed access to the scheme.

Tier 2

Tier 2 farmers are those who don’t have PEA but who are in a vulnerable water area they are also guaranteed access to the scheme.

Tier 3

Tier 3 farmers are those who don’t have a PEA or are not in a vulnerable water area, but can increase their chances of access to the scheme by picking an option such as:

  • Minimum tillage.
  • Low emission slurry spreading.
  • Wild bird cover.
  • Catch crops.