Farmers who need forage from land areas in the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) Geese and Swans action may be covered by EU force majeure provisions.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has this evening (Wednesday, September 30) said: "To support any individual farmers who believe that they need the forage from the areas on their farm covered by this measure to feed their own livestock, I intend to engage with the EU Commission to determine that if such usage would mean the ACRES action is not delivered, this can be covered by EU force majeure provisions."

Minister Heydon added: "Any such Force Majeure would only apply at an individual farm level in respect of that farm's own forage needs.

"It would not apply to the export of forage harvested from the geese and swans action areas on those farms."

Minister Heydon said that any farmers who wish to apply for force majeure under these circumstances should contact the ACRES Division of DAFM at Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford.

Under current rules, farmers with land in the ACRES Geese and Swans action receive payment for agreeing to not graze or operate machinery on these designated lands from October 1 to March 31.

ACRES geese and swans

According to DAFM, the ACRES Geese and Swan action is critical to providing foraging area for migratory, overwintering waterbirds because human disturbance triggers flight-or-fight responses that compromise their survival during critical winter months.

Minister Heydon explained that any proposal to amend in a general manner the current conditions of this measure "would require an amendment to Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan to be approved by European Commission.

"This process would take several months and given that the fundamental objective of this measure could be impacted by any such flexibility, there is no guarantee that it would be approved.

Minister Heydon said: "On this basis I do not propose amending the basic requirements associated with this action at present.

"However, to support any individual farmers who believe that they need the forage from the areas on their farm covered by this measure to feed their own livestock, I intend to engage with the EU Commission to determine that if such usage would mean the ACRES action is not delivered, this can be covered by EU force majeure provisions.

Minister Heydon added: "We have seen positive grass growth in recent weeks which I believe will further assist farmers to manage fodder for the winter period.

"I will continue to closely monitor developments on fodder availability over the coming period."

The contact e-mail for farmers who wish to apply for the Force Majeure is Geese&[email protected] and the force majeure will be subject to inspections.