Areas of Natural Constraints

The Areas of Natural Constraints scheme provides payments to people farming land in designated areas face significant hardships from factors such as remoteness, difficult topography, climatic problems and poor soil conditions.

Support is provided based on the following categories of land:

Category 1 land: The system of farming prevalent in Category 1 is characterised by extensive farming practices focused on livestock management on higher ground.

Category 2 land: The system of farming prevalent in Category 2 is characterised by extensive livestock grazing practices on lower ground.

Category 3 land: The system of farming prevalent in Category 3 is less extensive in nature and characterised by grazing livestock enterprises.

Offshore island land: Island holdings are generally small and fragmented where the potential for intensification is limited and farming is economically marginal, at best. Farming on the off-shore islands off Ireland is in continuous decline.

To qualify for the Areas of Natural Constraints and the Areas of Specific Constraint schemes, you must:

• Submit a BISS application each year declaring the ANC land located within the jurisdiction of Ireland and apply for ANC

• maintain a minimum stocking density of 0.10 livestock units per forage hectare for 28 consecutive weeks months within the calendar year

• maintain an annual average stocking density of 0.10 livestock units per forage hectare for the calendar year

The minimum stocking requirement will be based on an applicant’s stocking profile in 2022. Where an applicant did not satisfy the minimum stocking requirement in 2022, they can choose to use their stocking profile in 2023 instead.

Applicants with sheep or goats must have submitted a valid Sheep or Goat Census return within specified timelines.

Tillage lands, which are payable in designated areas under the scheme, are not subject to or considered in the calculation of stocking requirements.

The following animals are eligible:

• cattle, sheep and goats

• horses, donkeys and deer

Details of stocking density requirements are set out in the Terms and Conditions of the scheme. You must comply with the terms and conditions of the scheme.

Areas of Natural Constraint

The previous designated land types of 'Mountain', 'More Severely' and 'Less Severe' are now Category 1, 2 and 3, and the rates are as follows:

Applicants maintaining a combination of Category 1, 2 and 3 land, will be paid up to a maximum of 30 hectares except where the area of Category 1 land declared is between 30 and 34 hectares. In these cases, the payment will be based on the number of hectares of Category 1 land declared.

Payment will be made in the order of Category 1, then Category 2 and lastly Category 3. This is to maximise the amount which can be paid to an applicant.

Areas of Specific Constraint ( Islands)

Rates payable for each hectare are as follows:

You can claim for a maximum of 40 hectares.

Parcel Assessment Form

Where an applicant believes that there are recognised habitat, environmental, biodiversity or climatic constraints on their holding which will prevent them from meeting their stocking density requirements, applicants can have their land assessed by an approved FAS advisor and return a completed Parcel Assessment Form to the Department. This form is available here.

Parcel Assessment Form

You apply for the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme as part of the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application.

A farmer may submit their own application in conjunction with their BISS application, if they so wish, or they can employ a FAS approved advisor to do so on their behalf.

To apply online, login or register at www.agfood.ie

You must apply by midnight on 29 May 2023.

If your login or password are expired and need to be renewed please contact the Department’s helpdesk as set out below.

Agfood Online Services Helpdesk

Address: Government Offices, Farnham Street, Cavan, Co Cavan, H12 D459

Website: www.agfood.iewww.agfood.ie

Email: agfood@agriculture.ieagfood@agriculture.ie

The ANC Terms and Conditions are contained within the 2023 Basic Income Support for Sustainability and related area-based scheme Terms and Conditions.

BISS and other area related schemes

Terms and Conditions for previous years