There has been an 800% increase in the number of farmers participating in the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) farm plan scheme, according to Minister for Heritage Malcolm Noonan TD.

The Green Party minister said there were 40 farmers participating in the scheme at the beginning of 2020 but that at the end of this year, this number is expected to have increased to over 360, pending the signing of farm plan contracts. He said it is also his intention to make an open call for further applications in early 2023.

Under the scheme, farmers can claim up to €10,000 per year for “capital works” which are “in favour of the conservation of cultural and natural heritage located on the agriculture holding”.

The Minister of State made the comments in response to an Oireachtas query on the matter from Carol Nolan TD.

Minister Noonan says he has also increased the funding for the NPWS farm plan scheme from “approximately €500,000 in 2020 to approximately €2m in 2022”.

Farming for the environment

The NPWS farm plan scheme was launched in 2006. To date, over 800 NPWS farm plans have been approved and these plans have been instrumental in designing national agri-environment schemes which have been taken forward on a larger scale, the NPWS says.

Minister for Heritage Malcolm Noonan TD.

One of the main objectives of scheme is to trial “novel approaches” to farming for the environment, to safeguard particular sites, habitats and species, and to work towards meeting conservation measures required under the EU Birds and Habitats Directives.

“All farmers are encouraged to make applications for the NPWS Farm Plan Scheme. However, as with any scheme, numbers will be limited and it is not possible to guarantee every applicant will be accepted. Applications from farmers with designated lands, including Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas and Natural Heritage Areas, are prioritised for consideration,” Minister Noonan said.

County breakdown

The number of farmers in each county participating in the NPWS farm plan scheme varies, depending on region.

So far in 2022, the largest number of participants have been seen in counties Donegal (28), Galway (18), Mayo (13) and Offaly (13). Meanwhile, there were no farmers participating in the scheme in Carlow or Monaghan.

Tipperary had the largest area used for payment by farmers under the scheme at 112ha while Limerick had 51ha and Galway had 33ha.