RURAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SCHEME |
REPS is a scheme, whereby a farmer enters into a five-year
contract with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural
Development to farm in accordance with an agri-environmental
plan drawn up by an approved planner. The objectives of
REPS include the establishment of environmentally sustainable
and friendly farming practices, quality food production
methods and the protection of wildlife habitats and endangered
flora and fauna. In order to fulfil the objectives of the
general REPS Programme the farmer must undertake to comply
with eleven measures. These measures promote the control
of phosphate use, nitrogen use and stocking rate, the control
of waste and effluent around the farmyard, the protection
of the water quality, hedges, habitats and features of archaeological
or historical importance on the farm. Where a farm exceeds
98.84 acres (40 ha), the measures specified in the plan
must be complied with on the entire farm area.
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Farmers Eligible To Apply |
| The scheme is open to both part-time and
full-time farmers who are farming at least 3 hectares (7.4
acres). The land can be either owned or leased for a period
that encompasses the whole duration of the scheme. All lands
fared (owned, leased, rented or used) must be included in
the Agri-Environmental plan and must be the subject of an
area aid application. There is no off farm income limit.
Payments will be made on lands farmed up to a limit of 98.84
acres (40 hectares). The following areas will not be included
for payment under the scheme:
-
Dwelling house and associated areas not used for agriculture
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Public roads and lake areas
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Commercial forestry
-
Land held in fee simple subject to turbary or grazing
rights
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Conacre land or leased land where the lease has less
thanfive years to run
-
Set-aside lands
-
Commonage shares which are leased/rented
-
Owning commonage/grazing rights over which farming
rights are not
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Application Procedure
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The FDS Office will provide the farmer with an application
form. A planner will assess eligibility for the scheme and
outline the areas that need to be addressed on the farm.
The planner will then draw up a five-year plan in consultation
with the farmer. This plan, with the completed application
form, farm map and other supporting documentation, is submitted
to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.
Payment will the follow formal approval. |
Payment Rates and Procedures |
The first payment is made in advance following the approval
of a valid application and is normally received 6 to 8 weeks
after submission of the plan. Subsequent payments are made
annually thereafter subject to the participant making an
application exercised and compliance with the conditions
of the scheme. The payments per hectare for each year up
to a maximum of 98.84 acres (40 Ha) of the farm are as follows:
€165/ha. Per annum on Non Target Area land (i.e. lands
which are not part of a commonage/NHA/SAC/SPA) where the
area of the holding is equal or less than 49.42 acres (20
Ha).
€151/Ha per annum on Non Target Area land where the
total area of the holding exceeds 49.42 acres (20Ha), up
to a maximum eligible area of 98.84 acres (40 Ha).
There are also additional supplementary measures whereby
further payments can be received to augment the basic payment.
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Requirements of the Scheme |
Limits for chemical phosphate and nitrogen fertiliser
and nitrogen from animal and other wastes as specified by
the REPS Plan must be observed.
It is mandatory for the participants to attend a suitable
training course before reaching the end of the second year
in the scheme.
Farm boundaries must be kept stock proof for the duration
of the REEPS Plan.
Up to date and detailed Record Sheets must be kept regarding
stock numbers, farm wastes spread and chemical fertiliser
purchased and spread for each year of participation in REPS.
At the end of each year in REPS an approved planner must
certify these record sheets.
The area declared in REPS must match the area on the Area-Aid
form.
The Department of Agriculture and Food must be notified
in writing within six weeks of:
- an increase/decrease in land area farmed using a REPS
1A form
- an increase of stock numbers greater than that stated
on the REPS Plan.
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