The new €1.5bn Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is finally open for applications.

Farmers with some commonage, rare breeds, organic land or private natura sites will have priority access to the scheme.

It will close for applications on 21 November.

Farmers applying to the scheme through Teagasc will be charged up to €550, depending on their farm size. Advisers are working seven days a week to get plans finalised.

The scheme, which could pay up to €10,500 to some farmers, will cater for 30,000 farmers in the first tranche.

Organic scheme

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Pippa Hackett has also announced that the next tranche of the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) is open for applications.

The scheme could pay the average sheep or suckler farmer up to €12,500 in the first year of the scheme. Farmers have until 9 December to apply.

ACRES and organic farming are likely to top the bill at the first Irish Farmers Journal CAP meeting which will take place in Cork next Tuesday.