Public Consultation on the Natura Impact Report in support of the Appropriate Assessment (AA) for Landscape Actions (LAs) to be made available under the Co-operation approach of the Agri-climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES)

This public consultation notice is published on 15th July 2025

The Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is Ireland’s flagship agri-environment scheme funded under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023 – 2027. There are two approaches within the Scheme – an ACRES General approach and an ACRES Co-operation approach. This public consultation relates to the Landscape Actions element within the ACRES Co-operation approach. More information on ACRES may be found here Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES)

Landscape Actions (LAs) are large scale complementary environmental actions that may be chosen by participants of the ACRES Co-operation approach only. The LAs are targeted restoration measures that will focus on issues such as invasive species management, encroaching scrub, priority species/habitats and water quality protection, thereby offering benefits to the local environment. The LAs have been designed to target environmental priorities at landscape level, which have been highlighted in the local action plans and threats and pressures identified through the ACRES scorecards for results-based payments. The targeted implementation of these landscape actions should improve the quality of habitats in the ACRES Co-operation zones and therefore improve the results-based score achieved on that field/commonage in coming years leading to an increased payment. A draft list of LAs and associated draft specifications are available at Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES)

The underlying principle of actions chosen under ACRES is the “right measure in the right place”. Landscape Actions aim to address an environmental issue at scale across farms or a whole landscape. It is envisaged that these actions will be delivered in a coordinated fashion, addressing landscape level priorities. The ACRES Co-operation Project Teams will play a key role in the efficient and effective targeting of Landscape Actions at landscape level in their respective ACRES Co-operation zones to address biodiversity restoration and water quality improvement.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is required to inform the public that any person may make a submission or observation in writing concerning this Appropriate Assessment (AA) within 30 days of the date of the notice – the closing date is 15th August 2025

Submissions must be received by 16.00 hours (4pm) on the closing date. Submissions will be considered valid if received by post or delivered to the address below on the closing date or where submitted by email, if email shows that it was sent before 16.00 hours on the closing date. It is important that electronic submissions are emailed to the correct address, as indicated below. Submissions sent to other email addresses cannot be accepted as valid.

Valid submissions will be acknowledged after the closing date. If you feel you have made a valid submission and have not received an acknowledgement within five working days of the closing date, please contact below.