We outline some of the common questions farmers are asking about the GLAS Scheme – we also have a full list of the main dates for GLAS.

I got a text from the Department of Agriculture…what do I do with it? 

If your planner has submitted your interest in GLAS you should get a text message from the Department of Agriculture with a code, to which you need to reply – indicating whether you plan to go ahead and apply for the scheme or not.

You only have 24 hours upon receipt of the text to respond. So, if you miss the 24-hour window to respond, contact your planner and get them to re-submit your application so you get another text.

I’m unsure whether to apply this year or wait and see and apply next year. Can I do this?

Yes. This year is just the first tranche of the scheme, it will be open again next year. If you are not sure you can wait until next year to apply and while there will probably be less places there should also be less competition for the places.

Do I have to pay for my GLAS plan even if I don’t get accepted into the scheme? 

You have to pay for the plan before it’s submitted, to the planner, and they submit it on your behalf. It’s not a no foal no fee basis!

If you are told in October/November that you are not in you can leave the plan in situ for next year.

Can I change my options after I have submitted my GLAS plan? 

No, there is no flexibility for change with your options – you are tied in for a five-year period. The only way to change your plan is to withdraw the plan from the scheme completely.

Teagasc advice is to be very clear when entering the scheme of the options you are choosing – that it is a five-year scheme and you need to be able to fulfil the options you choose.

When do I start the actions or work I have agreed to do? 

None of the actions have to be done in 2015. It’s for 2016 on, so most of the work will have to start in 2016.

I farm some commonage – does that qualify me for GLAS automatically? 

While commonage does qualify for priority access to GLAS, not all commonage is the same. The Curragh of Kildare is the big commonage exception as it’s not privately owned commonage.

What if my daughter has a Connemara pony? Does that qualify as a rare breed? While Connemara ponies do qualify as rare breeds, along with Irish Draught horses and Kerry Bog ponies, Dexter, Irish Maol (Moiled) and Kerry cattle, as well as Galway Sheep, the animal has to have been on your farm in 2012/2013 and under your name. So, if it was not down as part of your herd then, even though it was on the farm, it won’t qualify you.

Farmers who kept a rare breed animal in 2012 or 2013 will be eligible to apply for this, with a payment of €200/LU/year available.

75% of my farm is grassland but I also have tillage. Am I a grassland or tillage farmer under the GLAS rules? 

If 75% or more of your farm is in grass you’re a grassland farmer, unless you have 30ha or more of tillage, then you’re a tillage farmer.

Hedgerows…that sounds easy, is it? 

The options here include planting from 10m to 200m. Teagasc advisors warn to ensure you do more than the minimum, for if an inspector comes out and says there is just 9m of hedging planted, you’re in trouble.

Hedges must also be stockproofed and weeds kept under control.
Planting 200m of hedge will see farmers get €1,000 each year for five years.
The options when planting are whitethorn, blackthorn and holly.
Both sides of the hedge must be fenced.
You can’t plant a hedge on a perimeter that bounds your neighbours – as you need access to both sides of the hedge. However, you can plant a hedge where there is a road on one side.

I’m a tillage farmer, can I rotate the area of minimum tillage around the farm? 

Minimum tillage can see farmers claim €40/ha/year, however it cannot be rotated around the farm; and, weeds may be a concern after four or five years for some farmers.