A course in agriculture and environment management provided by Mountbellew Agriculture College does not meet requirements to be approved as a GLAS advisor, the Department of Agriculture has ruled.

Minister Simon Coveney confirmed in a written answer to TD Eamon O'Cuiv that the level 7 BSc in Agriculture and Environment Management provided by Mountbellew Agriculture College, with the add-on level 8 BSc in Rural Enterprise and Environment Management in GMIT, does not meet the level 8 educational qualification standard required to be approved as a FAS/GLAS advisor. The decision was made following a detailed examination of the course content by the Department.

In order to be approved as a GLAS Advisor, an advisor must also be approved as an advisor under the Farm Advisory System (FAS) operated the Department. The Department requires that all advisors must have attained a FETAC Level 8 Bachelor Degree in Agricultural Science/Land Management in Agriculture and must have taken soil science and an animal or crop production subject to a level 8 degree standard.

Minister Coveney said advisors must be qualified to interpret soil tests, understand the requirements of all schemes and understand constraints of land management imposed by various land designations. He added that advisors must be in a position to translate this knowledge into detailed management plans and also advice for farmers not only on the schemes requirements but also on their farm operations.

The Minister said he has received a request to review this decision and this request is currently being examined, with a decision to be given to Mountbellew as soon as possible.