Rural Environment & Sustainability

Your farm is central to the health of Ireland's rural environment and rural economy. Explore the information in this section to learn how we can help you build the ecological and financial health of rural Ireland.

Climate Change, Bioenergy & Biodiversity

A Commonage Framework Plan is an assessment of the vegetation condition of an area of commonage. It outlines required changes (if any) in animal stocking levels. These changes are then passed on to REPS planners for implementation.

Framework plans are required for all area of commonage, all SACs and all NHAs.

What is in this section?

If you use commonage, use the information below to find out how a plan may affect your farming.

Commonage Framework Plans Database

Click here to search the Commonage Framework Plans Database

Definitions for commonage

CFP %

Recommended % stock reductions in the commonage framework plan (CFP), based on a detail survey carried out by a trained environmentalist and agriculturalist.

Agri Unit Code

Identification code given to each commonage framework plan. Each commonage framework plan can cover an area of land ranging from a small section of one townland to the area of several townlands combined.

In some situations a framework plan may be identified by a sequence of identification codes. This indicates that while individual framework plans were drawn up, they are in fact managed as one agricultural unit on the ground.

Eligible Area

This is the eligible area of any given townland in a particular commonage framework plan.

Eligible Townland Area

If townland areas are divided between a number of different commonage framework plans, this indicates the sum of the total eligible townland area. The farmers' share of a commonage will be calculated on the basis of this eligible area.

Average Townland Destocking %

This is the average destocking % recommended for a total townland area where the townland is divided into two or more CFP's.

NB

If there is more than one commonage in a townland a farmer will need to consult the actual framework plans, when available, to establish his/her destocking %.

• Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) Regulations

Previous Years Register of EIA Screening Application Decisions can be found at the link below

• Register of EIA Screening Application Decisions

You play an important role in maintaining Ireland's rural environment. The manner in which you manage your farm is the deciding factor in the quality of landscapes, flora and fauna we create.

To reflect this importance, your payments now largely depend on how well you maintain your land.

What is in this section?

Explore the information below to learn more about your environmental obligations and how the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food can support you.

• Nitrates
• Cross Compliance

Conservation of Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

Modern food production systems favour specialisation in a small number of animal breeds and plant species, to the exclusion of many others. The erosion of plant and animal diversity that results, may pose future risks to food security that are as yet unknown. Therefore there is a strong need to conserve as wide a range of genetic diversity, in our plant and animal species, as possible.

More about the conservation of genetic resources

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine both participates in and coordinates measures to conserve genetic resources for food and agriculture in Ireland (this includes conservation, promotion and research into, indigenous varieties of plants and native livestock breeds).

You - as a breeder, farmer or business - can assist us in this task.

• Organic Farming

Policy Enabling Environment

The long term policy vision for the agriculture, forest and land use sectors is based on an approach to carbon neutrality in the agriculture and land-use sector, including forestry, which does not compromise capacity for sustainable food production.

Adaptation

There is scientific consensus that climate change is happening and that it is largely caused by human activity. Over the past 250 years the burning of fossil fuels, land use change and agriculture has contributed to altered global average temperatures.

In Ireland, temperatures have increased by about 0.8°C since 1900. The number of annual frost days has decreased whilst the number of warm days has increased. Observations of the timing of bud-burst for a number of tree species indicate that the beginning of the growing season is now occurring more than a week earlier than in the 1970s, leading to an extension of the growing season.

One way of alleviating some of the trends outlined above is through adaptation. This is the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate and its effects. Adaptation seeks to moderate or avoid harm or exploit beneficial opportunities. Adaptation is an essential element in addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change.

Mitigation

A National Mitigation Plan (NMP) has been prepared as required by the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act. The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) published the Plan in July 2017. In terms of mitigation, the Act provides the statutory basis for the national objective of low carbon transition by 2050.

For the agriculture sector, this includes an approach to carbon neutrality in the agriculture and land use sector, including forestry, which does not compromise capacity for sustainable food protection.

Origin Green

Ireland is a world leader in areas such as sustainable auditing and carbon foot-printing under the Origin Green programme. Origin Green is the national sustainability programme for the food and drink industry uniting government, the private sector and food producers. Origin Green is a strategic priority in Food Wise 2025.

Origin Green

Food Wise 2025

Food Wise 2025, sets out a cohesive, strategic plan for the sustainable development of agri-food sector over the next decade. The strategy was informed by a detailed environmental impact analysis, and driven by a strong focus on sustainability.

Food Wise 2025

Policy & Legislation

Common Agricultural Policy

Protection of Ireland’s natural environment has been a central element of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for over 20 years. The focus on environmental protection has been strengthened under the current CAP 2014-2020 and further enhancements are expected as the CAP under goes review.

Payments to farmers under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) are dependent on the achievement and maintenance of baseline standards on environmental and public health, animal and plant health, and animal welfare – otherwise known as “cross compliance”.

Pillar I provides for a “greening” payment for farmers following a specified set of mandatory farm practices that yield additional environmental benefits.

Pillar II – The Rural Development Programme consists of a suite of measures designed to enhance the competitiveness of the agri-food sector, achieve more sustainable management of natural resources and ensure more balanced development of rural areas, with an enhanced focus on delivering positive environmental outcomes including for water and climate change.

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 provides a statutory basis for Government policy on climate change and provides for development of a National Mitigation Plan and sectoral adaptation plans.

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015

Collaborative Working

The Department and its agencies have a collective approach to delivering a robust and sustainable agri sector.

The Department, Teagasc and Bord Bia work closely together and have invested in a range of sustainable actions through research programmes, knowledge transfer and assessing the carbon emitted at farm level, all of which complement each other’s activities in improving the sustainability of the sector.

There is strong collaboration between the Department, State Agencies, other Government Departments and industry in pursuit of the common agenda of improving the sustainability of Irish agricultural production. As part of the Whole of Government approach to climate policy the Department works closely with other Departments and has engaged extensively with the European Commission in order to seek an appropriate and consistent approach to EU climate and agriculture policy.

Teagasc

Teagasc – the Agriculture and Food Development Authority – is the national body providing integrated research, advisory and training services to the agriculture and food industry and rural communities. Teagasc responsibilities include research on technologies and farm practices to address emissions and knowledge transfer to ensure the effective adoption of these technologies at the farm level.

Bord Bia

Bord Bia aims to promote the sales of sustainable Irish food and horticulture in Ireland and abroad. Bord Bia lead the Origin Green programme, which is the national sustainability programme for the food and drink industry uniting government, the private sector and food producers. Origin Green ensures that Ireland is a world leader in areas such as sustainable auditing and carbon foot-printing. Origin Green is a strategic priority in Food Wise 2025.

Innovation

Innovation in agriculture will provide the solutions to addressing the many environmental challenges which will be encountered. As a major food producer and a leading innovator in agriculture technologies, Ireland makes a significant contribution to tackling global food and nutrition needs, through the continued production of sustainable food products and the sharing of expertise.

Locally-led and European Innovation Partnerships (EIP)

Under the Locally-led and EIP initiatives more targeted and locally-led output-based measures were developed to complement the national approach of the GLAS.

Education

As the agri-food sector becomes more knowledge intensive, education and skills development are even more critical for success. There must be an emphasis on up-skilling and training ambitious people to drive the future development of the sector. The Department provides a Continuous Professional Development Programme (CPD), which promotes the training of advisors. The training enables advisors to provide up to date advice to farmers, which includes information on agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and the environment.

The Department has in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government committed to financing Sustainability Advisers under the Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme, an innovative whole of Government, whole of sector approach. These Advisers will provide a free advisory service to assist farmers in priority areas targeted for improved water quality over the coming four years.

Teagasc ConnectEd is an initiative designed to provide businesses and professionals working with the agri-food sector structured access to Teagasc research, education, knowledge resources and online tools.

Market Development

To fulfil the diverse demands of global markets, the Irish agri-food sector must better understand the specific needs and requirements of consumers in specific markets. It is essential that market and product development be driven by a focus on consumer insights and consumer needs.

Competitiveness

As a small, open economy and one that is particularly reliant on exports to drive growth and job creation, Ireland requires a continued focus on competitiveness in its global marketplaces. The impressive export growth achieved by the agri-food sector over the last five years, and its potential for continued expansion, have required concerted efforts to improve competitiveness and productivity.