Recycled ESB poles can be used by farmers in the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) as a non-productive investment (NPI) for fencing, but may only be used as straining posts, the Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has said.

NPIs are actions that are available to farmers in the co-operation approach of ACRES to address environmental issues on the farm, directly contribute to environmental objectives and increase the farmer's capacity to improve field scores through appropriate management, the minister said.

“All NPIs must be newly created actions. Therefore, only NPIs installed or established after the issue of the approval letter will be eligible for payment.

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“It is envisaged that recycled ESB/telegraph poles may be used for straining posts only and that the rest of the fence posts are new.

Inspection

"If on inspection there is some doubt that it is a newly installed investment, the participant will be asked for supporting receipts.

“Only deposits/expenditure paid on or after the date of submission of an NPI application are considered eligible supporting receipts,” he said in response to a parliamentary question from Sinn Féin agriculture spokesperson Martin Kenny.