The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has been called on to change rules around geese and swans under the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES).

According to Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice, such a move would provide additional grazing opportunities for farmers participating in the ACRES geese and swan measure.

Under that measure, farmers provide undisturbed habitats for geese and swans. Livestock grazing is not permitted on the parcels of land involved between October 1 and March 31.

Fitzmaurice urged Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon to "immediately extend" the period during which farmers involved in the measure are allowed to graze livestock.

The Roscommon-Galway TD warned that farmers "need certainty now" as grass availability remains tight.

He said farmers are therefore under pressure to make the best possible use of available grazing ground.

"Minister Heydon needs to make a move on the geese and swan measure under ACRES," Fitzmaurice said.

"A lot of farmers who joined ACRES would have participated in this measure... The minister knows very well that grass has been tight for a lot of farmers throughout the summer and into autumn," he added.

"At a time when grass is beginning to grow again, it makes absolutely no sense to force farmers to remove livestock from ground that could otherwise be used to extend the grazing season," the TD said.

He has called on the minister and the department to provide a one-month extension to the grazing window for farmers involved in this ACRES action.

"That extra month would be hugely beneficial to farmers. It would allow them to utilise as much of their available ground as possible and could mean the difference between having enough grass and having to start feeding silage or hay," Fitzmaurice said.

"Farmers are trying to make the most of every bit of grass available to them. If there is growth coming now, we should be allowing farmers to utilise that grass rather than forcing them to house animals or put additional pressure on their fodder stocks," he added.

Fitzmaurice called on the minister to make the decision now, rather than when "there are only a few days" before the October 1 deadline.