ACA President Tom Dawson has told Agriland that the Consultants Association has already expressed an active interest in Teagasc’s strategic aim to team up with a private sector organisation in order to develop the farm plans that will be required under the new GLAS scheme.

He added: “I am aware that Teagasc is ready to kick start a formal tendering process over the coming weeks. And we will actively consider submitting a response. As an organisation, ACA has never undertaken a project of this scale. But the bottom line is that we do not want this work leaving Ireland.

“There is more than sufficient consultancy and advisory resources in this country to meet Teagasc’s requirements in full.

Jane Marks of Farm Relief Services told Agriland that FRS is fully aware of Teagasc’s intentions regarding the roll out of the new GLAS scheme.

She commented: “We are keeping a close watch on this situation. Obviously, we will be scrutinising in detail the content of the tender documents. Once this process has been completed, we will decide whether or not we should submit a formal tender bid.”

FRS operates from 20 offices nation-wide, employing 2,000 people. The organisation provides a range of services to farmers including: relief milking, hoof trimming, pregnancy scanning, freeze branding, horn de-budding and plastic recycling,

Meanwhile Philip Farrelly of Balbriggan-based Philip Farrelly & Company Ltd has also told Agriland that the company has expressed an interest in the GLAS tender.

“We responded to the PIN that was issued and have already had a follow up meeting with Teagasc representatives.  But we will have to wait and see the full detail of the tender documents before arriving at any final decision on this matter,” he further explained.

“As a company we have a strong track record in responding to tendering processes which match and complement our range of consultancy services. We currently operate from offices in Balbriggan, Navan, Cavan and Ennis.”