Call for nature restoration to be 'embedded' into ACRES review
The Green Party is calling for nature restoration to be made a "key part" of the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) review.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon recently confirmed that a review of the €1.5 billion agri-environmental scheme is currently being finalised.
The minister was responding to a parliamentary question from Green Party leader, Roderic O'Gorman.
The review was ordered by then minister for agriculture Charlie McConalogue in October 2024 following strong criticism over delays in scheme payments to farmers.
ACRES
Following confirmation that the review is ongoing, the Green Party has called on Minister Heydon to use the opportunity to embed nature restoration ambition into the ACRES Co-operation Project (CP) approach.
The party wants "additional State funding" with a focus on ensuring farmers on the scheme are adequately paid to provide benefits for water, climate and nature.
Green Party spokesperson for agriculture, Senator Malcolm Noonan said that farmers must have confidence in the results based payment scheme in the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
"The potential of a reduced CAP budget post 2027, coupled with the possible loss of a dedicated environmental fund for LIFE Projects could result in a significant impact on rural economies.
"Any review of ACRES should build in contingency for this possibility, recommit targeted measures to deliver for nature, water and climate and improve the viability of farm family incomes in disadvantaged areas.
"This in our view should anticipate the ambition of Ireland’s first Nature Restoration Plan and ensure that the state fronts up sufficient funding and human resources to meet such ambition," he said.
Senator Noonan said the government must work with farmers on the next ACRES programme and "use a science-based approach to address our declining water quality, loss of nature and optimise agriculture’s role in sequestering carbon".
"It must be ambitious and recognise the provision of ecosystem services as a productive outcome of farming in its own right.
"The convergence of Phase 2 of the Land Use Review, the Nature Restoration Plan, Water Action Plan and Climate Action Plan must lead to a greatly strengthened CAP Strategic Plan for Ireland; one that delivers for nature, water and climate and for farm families all over the state," he added.
