Farmers seek clarification on GAEC 2 appeals as 'concerns' raised
The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) has urged the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to address farmer concerns and "move quickly to clarify the scope of GAEC 2 appeals".
DAFM has launched an appeals process for the Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition 2 (GAEC 2) with details released this week.
GAEC 2 is the conditionality standard of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) related to the protection of peatlands and wetlands.
It formally entered into force on May 1, which means that any works carried out before that date do not come under the scope of the condition.
Under the condition, the maintenance of an existing drain is permitted and replacement is acceptable.
However, new drainage on never-drained parcels of land will require planning permission or an exemption from the local authority, as is currently the case under national legislation.
IFA rural development chair John Curran said details seem to "infer that appeals are restricted to those who plan new drainage works in 2025, with signed declarations and evidence of planned drainage works required to accompany applications".
"This is very much at odds with what was briefed to us at both national and stakeholder meetings on this very emotive issue, and as I understand it, what has also been briefed to planners recently," Curran said.
"It will cause consternation and annoy many farmers unless quickly clarified.
“We understood that soil samples; a planner’s report; and geo-tagged photos may be required, but this is a curveball altogether."
Curran said that all farmers must be given the opportunity to appeal the GAEC 2 status of individual parcels, "irrespective of whether lands were ever drained in the past or not, or whether new drainage is planned in 2025 or not".
“We have been getting calls from farmers for months now since indicative GAEC 2 maps were released saying there is no way individual parcels on their land are GAEC 2 and they will very much be contesting it," the rural development chair continued.
"They have to be given that opportunity, and where backed by science and soil samples, have the GAEC-2 obligations removed."
Curran said the IFA has engaged with DAFM seeking clarification on the matter, and will "continue to do until resolved".
