Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has clarified the permitted uses and payment circumstances for non-productive investments (NPIs) in relation to the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES).

According to the minister: “NPIs are actions that are available to participants in the co-operation approach of Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme to address environmental issues on the farm, directly contribute to environmental objectives, and increase the farmer's capacity to improve field scores through appropriate management."

This was in response to Sinn Féin TD, Martin Kenny, who asked if it is permissible to use recycled telegraph/ESB poles for fencing under the non-productive investments for ACRES.

‘Newly created’

“All NPIs must be newly created actions. Therefore only NPIs installed or established after the issue of the approval letter will be eligible for payment," the minister said.

“It is envisaged that recycled ESB/telegraph poles may be used for straining posts only and that the rest of the fence posts are new.

“Only deposits/expenditure paid on or after the date of submission of an NPI application are considered eligible supporting receipts.”

Other ACRES developments

In other ACRES news, the co-operation project announced the opening of a new regional office in Lismore, Co. Waterford.

Speaking about the development, programme director Fergal Monaghan said this new office "greatly improves our ability to respond to the needs of communities in and around the Knockmealdowns and the Comeraghs and brings our number of regional offices to five".

"This helps ensure that ACRES participants have access to the advice and support to help them achieve the opportunities available in ACRES.”

Earlier this month, Minister Heydon acknowledged during parliamentary questions that just under 12,000 herdowners are awaiting their 2025 ACRES advance payments.

This was in response to a question posed by Independent Ireland TD, Michael Fitzmaurice.