The leader of the Independent Ministers in Cabinet, Minister Seán Canney, has welcomed the force majeure for the ACRES Geese and Swans action.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (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".

This decision was made in light of the extreme drought experienced across Ireland during the summer months.

Canney, who is also Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, said this decision meant that the requirement to vacate land from 1 October would not apply.

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

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon earlier explained that: "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."

ACRES geese and swans

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 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.