Public Consultation on Proposed Agri-Environment Results Based Pilot Project

Public Consultation

Summary of Proposed Agri-Environment Results Based Pilot Project

Background

The Programme for Government commits to rewarding farmers for adapting to more sustainable methods of farming and to the development of a new agri-environment scheme capable of delivering broad environmental and biodiversity benefits that will align financial supports with climate objectives. To advance this objective funding has been made available for an agri-environment pilot project. It is proposed to do this as a results-based project in order to align it with the principles of the next CAP.

Results Based Model

Results-based agri-environment payment schemes reward farmers for committed environmental effort by linking payments to the quality of environmental outcomes delivered. This contrasts with the standard ‘prescription-based’ model used in GLAS, where payments are made for carrying out defined actions in line with scheme specifications. Examples of prescription-based agri-environment actions include the planting of Wild Bird Cover, using Low Emission Slurry Spreading technologies and positioning bee and bat boxes as outlined in the GLAS specifications. Prescription based actions can include mandatory requirements to be implemented to qualify for payment such as grazing, mowing dates and fertilizer and herbicide restrictions. Under this approach the same payment is made irrespective of the subsequent ecological quality achieved.

Under the results-based approach farm features are scored to identify how management practices have impacted on the environmental status of the holding. Scoring is calculated with reference to defined indicators, which are chosen to reflect overall biodiversity and ecological integrity. Payments are linked to environmental quality. In recognition of the environmental and biodiversity quality achieved, farms with the highest scoring receive the greatest payment.

Results-based schemes can involve payments awarded solely on results achieved or may be a blended model with payments for ‘non-productive investments’ which support the delivery of biodiversity and environmental benefits. By linking payments to defined indicators the results-based model creates a financial incentive linked with outcomes for participating farmers. The model also makes it worthwhile for participants to gain an understanding of the conditions required for the delivery of optimum biodiversity and environmental benefits.

Results Based Experience in Ireland to Date

The results based model has been used successfully by the Burren Project and various EIP (European Innovation Partnership) projects including the Hen Harrier Project, the BRIDE Project and the Protecting Farmland Pollinators Project. To date its application has been confined to specific environmental challenges and geographic areas. The model has not been tested on a national basis to date.

Pilot Project

This pilot will trial a results-based scoring and payment system with suitable measures on participating farms across the country with a view to identifying upscaling potential and feasibility for use of the model in the next agri-environment scheme following on from GLAS. The pilot will aim to cover a broad geographic spread and include a wide range of farming enterprise types.

Project Objectives

1. To test the potential suitability of a results-based payment system at farm level and the feasibility of upscaling this model as part of the next national agri-environment scheme to follow on from GLAS

2. To identify training needs for farmers, advisors and other stakeholders

3. To identify the barriers to farmer buy-in to the results-based model

4. To raise awareness and achieve attitudinal change among farmers of the value of biodiversity and other ecosystem services on their farms

5. To test the suitability of Department procedures and systems with regards to application procedures, payment procedures/systems, budgeting/financial procedures and audit/control functions.

6. To identify control and inspection implications

7. To test the monitoring and evaluation aspects for results-based payment actions.

Environmental issues to be considered

1. Biodiversity

2. Water quality

3. Soil health

4. Climate mitigation/adaptation

Duration

Funding has been secured for 2021. Year one will include the establishment of the project systems, training for both farmers and advisors, on farm assessment, the setting of environmental and biodiversity baselines at farm level and the identification of farm management and/or investment actions to improve environmental standing. Subject to funding, year two will see the implementation of supporting actions and enhanced management on participating farms. Year two assessment will seek to identify the scale of resultant environmental and biodiversity improvements following implementation.

Key Project Steps - Year 1

• Development of application and payment system

• Establish scoring system

• Identify suitable farm advisors

• Open application process to farmers

• Training for farmers and advisors

• On farm assessment and scoring to set baselines and year 1 payment

• Identify management measures required and support actions (e.g. fencing, water systems etc) needed at farm level to improve environmental conditions

• Funding applications to be made to the Department for supporting actions

• Funding approval for supporting actions

• Year 1 payments to issue to farmers

Key Project Steps - Year 2 (Subject to Funding)

• Ongoing training for farmers and advisors

• Supporting actions (capital investment and management) to be implemented on participating farms

• On farm assessment and scoring to assess the impact of investment actions and implementation of management measures

• Payments to issue to farmers for results achieved

Proposed measures

Grasslands using a “whole field” approach, based on three elements: the field itself, the field boundary and the field margin. As a move away from the prescribed approach of GLAS, participants will be trained to manage their land according to the needs of the holding. The pilot will be weighted towards maintenance and enhancement of existing farm features and management rather than the creation of new features and habitats.

Target lands

Grassland parcels/fields in any part of the country with potential for environmental improvement. Subject to the quality of applications received the project will seek to include farms from a broad geographic spread covering different farming conditions.

Core Participant Requirements

1. Engage the services of an eligible advisor from a list to be provided by the Department

2. Attend training sessions over the course of the pilot for which the participant will be paid

Role of Participant Farmer

Participating farmers will operate under the guidance of their trained advisor and will be expected to manage the land they bring into the pilot in a manner that produces the best possible environmental and biodiversity returns. While advisors will be responsible for the assessment and scoring, this should be done with the involvement of the participating farmer.

Selection Process

The pilot will be advertised nationally and will be open to farmers who have not participated in GLAS and who are not currently in an agri-environment scheme. The application process will be a single page online form. A list of advisors who have indicated interest will be made available to applicants. If a farmer’s regular advisor is not listed he/she will need to choose from the list for the purposes of the pilot. While the final criteria are to be decided, the following will be included;

• Applicant must be eighteen or over on the date of the application

• Be the holder of an active herd number

• Have all land to be brought into the pilot in the applicant’s name declared on their BPS application for

2020

• Has not participated in GLAS

• Not currently in an agri-environment scheme

• Has engaged an advisor eligible for the pilot

Participant Training

Each participant will be expected to undertake compulsory training sessions with a payment to farmers.

Role of Advisor

Participating farmers will engage the services of an advisor. The advisor will be paid by the farmer. The Department will not have a contractual relationship with advisors and will not be liable for payment of advisor fees or expenses. Advisors will be responsible for land assessment and scoring and for ongoing guidance of their clients throughout the term of the pilot. To ensure knowledge transfer to farmers, advisors will involve their clients in the assessment and scoring functions.

Scoring System

1. An integrated score card will be used to assess farm features

2. Scoring will be undertaken by trained advisors with participation of the farmer

3. Scoring in year 1 will be mainly based on the existing quality of features and will establish the 2021 payment. This will both reward farmers for good management to date and also set a baseline for future scoring

4. Scores uploaded to the Department’s Generic Land Management System (GLAM) by the participant’s advisor.

5. Assessment and evaluation of the scoring achieved on a sample of participating farms will be undertaken by the Department’s inspectorate division.

6. Draft scorecard to consider:

a. Positive environmental / biodiversity indicators present

b. Combined cover of positive indicators throughout the plot

c. Combined cover of negative indicators throughout the plot

d. Vegetation structure

e. Management of boundary features

f. Management of field margins

g. Evidence of any damaging activities to vegetation, soil or water

h. Comments/recommendations to be brought to the farmer’s attention and recommended actions to rectify or improve field score in the short/medium term

Payments Rates

The payment rates will be decided with reference to income foregone, additional costs of specific environmental management and transaction costs.

It is expected that a hybrid payment system will be used. This will be made up of the following components;

• a base payment

• an additional top-up payment calculated in line with the environmental and biodiversity results achieved over the course of the pilot

• payment for supporting/capital actions

It should be noted that this pilot project will be subject to state aid rules applicable to the agricultural sector including regulations governing De Minimis requirements.

Support / Capital Actions

The initial farm assessment to be conducted by the advisor in year one will identify management and investment actions required to improve environmental and biodiversity standing. Subject to funding, it is proposed that a list of potential complementary actions may be made available to participant farms. Farmers may apply to the Department for funding for each of these actions.

Examples of such actions include:

1. Water provision for livestock (to facilitate having riparian margins)

2. Fencing /gates (to facilitate field margins /water course buffer management)

3. Hedgerow and tree planting

4. Seeds to encourage pollinators

Public Consultation

Views of interested parties regarding the design and implementation of the results based pilot are now sought. Those wishing to input to this process can do so via the survey link below

surveymonkey

An Irish version of the survey is available on request from rbp@agriculture.gov.ie.

Terms and Conditions

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is collecting this data to inform the development of the proposed agri-environment results based pilot project. No submissions will be shared externally. If any responses are published subsequently, the data will be in an amalgamated format to prevent any identification.. Should you wish to later withdraw this given consent then please email us at rbp@agriculture.gov.ie.

Freedom of Information

All submissions and comments submitted to the Department for this purpose are subject to release under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2014 and the European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007- 2014. Submissions are also subject to Data Protection legislation. Personal, confidential or commercially sensitive information should not be included in your submission and it will be presumed that all information contained in your submission is releasable under the Freedom of Information Act 2014.

Data Protection

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is collecting this data to inform the development of the proposed agri-environment results based pilot project. No submissions will be shared externally. This data collected will be processed in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR EU 2016/679), the Data Protection Acts 1988-2018, the Freedom of Information Act 2014 and the DPER Consultation Principles and Guidance. Any additional personal data received as part of your submission will not be processed, shared, or retained and will be destroyed upon receipt. Publication to the Departments website of personal data associated with submissions will only take place where permission is received to do this.

Further information on Data Protection can be found on our website https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/ef9f6-data-protection

Privacy Statement

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy and employs appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your information from unauthorised access. The Department will not process your personal data for any purpose other than that for which they were collected. Personal data may be exchanged with other Government Departments, local authorities, agencies under the aegis of the Department, or other public bodies, in certain circumstances where this is provided for by law.

The Department will only retain your personal data for as long as it is necessary for the purposes for which they were collected and subsequently processed. When the business need to retain this information has expired, it will be examined with a view to destroying the personal data as soon as possible, and in line with Department policy.

The closing date for the receipt of views is Friday February 26th, 2021

Queries relating to the operation of this consultation process can be addressed to rbp@agriculture.gov.ie

29th January 2021

Background

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has outlined his intention to run a pilot agri-environment project in the period 2021 to 2022. The Minister proposes to do this as a results-based project in order to align it with the principles of the next CAP. The pilot will test the results based model on participating farms with a view to identifying the up-scaling potential for inclusion in the next national agri-environment scheme to follow on from GLAS.

Public Consultation

To inform the design and implementation of the pilot project the Minister launched a public consultation process on January 29th which remained open until February 26th. Those wishing to input were invited to do so via an online survey. A summary overview document which outlined the proposal was published as part of the consultation process.

Overview

1,581 submissions were received, the majority via the online process with a small number submitted by email to the Department. The overwhelming majority of submissions saw merit in the Department’s proposal. We can report that responses were received from all 26 counties and respondents were represented in each of the categories (Full-Time Farmer, Part-Time Farmer etc.) listed in Question 1 of the online survey. From an age profiling view, the largest group of respondents (31%) were in the 36 to 45 age group.

The purpose of this report and the attached graphical analysis is to provide a summary overview of submissions received.

Responses from Farmers

Farmers made up over 81% of all the responses received with almost half of all respondents identifying themselves as part-time farmers. Beef farmers made up half of all responses from farmers and almost one third indicated that they are farming a land area of over 40 hectares.

Experience of Agri-Environment Schemes

Over half of all farmers (60%) indicated that they have previously participated in an agri-environment scheme. The majority of these participated in REPS with GLAS participants forming the second largest group. Almost 37% of farmers who responded indicated that they are currently active in GLAS. The figures indicate that of all respondents who had at some point participated in GLAS, just under 2% are no longer in the scheme.

Over 54% of those who indicated that they have participated in an agri-environment scheme stated that participation has helped them achieve environmental improvements on their farms.

Agri-Environment Training

More than half of all respondents have taken part in agri-environment training. The majority of this group found that the training helped them both understand environmental issues and carry out practical environmental improvements on their farms.

Attitudes to Environmental and Biodiversity Issues

Almost three quarters of farmers have stated that biodiversity and environmental issues play a medium to high level of importance in their farming activities. At the same time almost 70% of the broader group of respondents have indicated that, in their opinion, Irish farmers have a limited knowledge of the value of biodiversity, the environment and ecosystems.

The majority of respondents believe that training is the key factor for improving the environment, biodiversity and water quality on Irish farms. At the same time almost 38% indicated there is a need for greater involvement by agri related industries in the drive to create environmental and bio-diversity improvements. The importance of regulation was also noted with almost 30% indicating the need for regulation in this area.

The survey indicates that there is a strong belief that incentivising farmers to incorporate environmental measures into farm practices by linking payments to results can deliver environmental and biodiversity benefits on Irish farms.

Attitudes and Experience of the Results-Based Model

Less than 9% of all respondents indicated that they have previously participated in a results-based project. At the same time, despite the low level of participation by respondents, almost 46% indicated that they are aware of how the results-based system works. Of this group just over 39% indicated that they believe they have sufficient experience and understanding to carry out work in line with the results based approach.

When asked what they believe the project should prioritise, over three quarters (76%) indicated that the maintenance and enhancement of existing farm environmental features should be supported rather than the creation of new farm features and habitats. In addition, respondents believe that the key environmental challenges to be addressed by the project are Biodiversity, Water Quality and Soil Health in near equal measure.

The majority of respondents (86%) stated that they believe linking payments to achieving environmental results can benefit the environment and biodiversity on Irish farms. Environmental and biodiversity issues were identified as the most important training need to enable the introduction of a results-based system. Training in farm management practices was rated second followed by field scoring and assessment.

Proposed Measures

When asked what measures should be included in REAP a significant number of respondents highlighted the need to support farmers already delivering for the environment under current farm management practices. The need to include more commercial farms was highlighted. Many respondents called for a simplified and costs effective approach to the pilot design and management.

A significant number of respondents saw value in support for the development and maintenance of quality hedgerows. The biodiversity value of hedgerows was highlighted and the need to recognise this value as part of the natural capital of the farm. A significant number of respondents also saw value in providing support for the planting of native tress.

Respondents also saw potential for the pilot to support the maintenance of traditional grassland management practices. Value was seen in the GLAS type Traditional Hay Meadows and Low Input Permanent Pastures actions. The option of re-seeding to a multi-sworth mix was also noted.

The need for the Department to ensure compatibility among schemes and programme objectives was also highlighted. The issue of the potential habitat value of scrub and land considered to be outside agricultural eligibility criteria was also raised with respondents noting the biodiversity and habitats value of this land.

Next Steps

The Department is grateful to all those who took part in the public consultation process for this project. A detailed review of all submissions received is underway. Issues raised will be considered with a view to finalising the project in the near future. Many of the comments received were more appropriate to the next Agri-Environment, Climate Measure being developed as part of the CAP Strategic Plan for the next programming period and these will be further considered in that context.

Details of the Online Survey Individual Questions and Responses are available below