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Climate and environment
Minister insists GAEC 2 rules are not a land designation
Amy Forde
Minister Heydon said that if a farmer believes that a land parcel has been incorrectly included in the standard, they can appeal that decision to the Department of Agriculture.
1 April 2025 News
INHFA wants mineral soils red-lined out of GAEC 2 rules
The hill farmers’ group has presented what it called a ‘fair solution’ to implementing GAEC 2.
25 March 2025 Climate and environment
Minister insists GAEC 2 is ‘not something that will be in place forever’
Minister Heydon has denied GAEC 2 requirements are a form of land designation, adding that the rules may be changed with the next CAP in 2028.
Department to host in-person clinics for farmers on BISS
In total, 16 farmer clinics on the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) and other area-based schemes are scheduled and will kick off from 1 April.
21 March 2025 News
One in four farmers inspected under cross compliance penalised
1,352 farmers received Department fo Agriculture cross compliance inspections in 2023.
19 March 2025 News
Appeals process for GAEC 2 peat soils
While no appeals process was finalised, it is thought that it will likely require submission of soil samples, geotag photos and an environmental report by a FAS adviser or environmental consultant.
19 March 2025 Schemes
Step-by-step guide: how to check if your land is a GAEC 2 peat soil
The mapping system on agfood.ie now has an active layer which farmers can use to check the status of their lands.
7 March 2025 Schemes
Department set to clamp down on map acres
Department officials briefed advisers and issued a warning against farmers claiming payments on land they are not actually farming.
5 March 2025 Schemes
Eight significant nitrates changes signed in to law
The changes come in to play immediately and include new fertiliser limits, changes to animal excretion rates, mandatory inclusion of clover in reseeds and the phasing out of unprotected urea.
5 March 2025 News
No change in livestock unit values
Proposals to change nutrient excretion rates under nitrates will not have any effect on livestock unit values under area-based schemes.
26 February 2025 Schemes
GAEC 2 land parcels can be redrawn
Advisers were told standard rules for parcel construction will apply to GAEC 2 lands.
26 February 2025 News
New peatland rules won't impact farmers - minister
Minister Heydon said the inspection rate for this standard will be really low and that he doesn’t see farmers falling foul of the regulations.
19 February 2025 News