An information meeting on the Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition on the protection of peatlands and wetlands (GAEC 2) will be held by all farmer organisations this evening (Thursday, April 10) in Co. Leitrim.

The meeting is open to all farmers, landowners, and all farm association members at the Landmark Hotel, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim, from 7:45p.m.

IFA policy executive Shane Whelan will address farmer concerns around GAEC 2, and former IFA national environment chair, Paul O' Brien will discuss the nature restoration law.

GAEC 2 is a baseline requirement under the common agricultural policy (CAP) regulations for the protection of carbon-rich soils and is legally required to be put in place for 2025 as part of the conditionality requirements for the basic income support for sustainability (BISS) scheme.

Sligo IFA chair Michael O'Dowd said it is "important that large numbers" attend as both new GAEC rules and nature restoration are of "such serious concern" to farmers.

O'Dowd said that there is "worry" about farming practices and "unwarranted further designations" in the northwest, west, and midlands for all farmers on peaty soils.

The Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) has advised that if a farmer believes that a land parcel was incorrectly included in the standard, they can appeal this decision. However, if 50% or more of the parcel is identified in the map it is in scope.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon said that the new rules are "not a designation" of land, but rather "a baseline conditionality of the BISS".

While indicative soil maps are already available to view on the Agfood online system, O'Dowd said that many farmers are "in the dark", as they have not received notice from the department, and may not have time appeal decisions.