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Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) Regulations
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
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An Environment Impact Assessment is needed before farmers do certain types of development on their land. Screening is the cost-free process in which the Department examines the proposed activities for environmental impact to determine if they can go ahead without the need for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
Where the activities are likely to have a significant effect on the environment a full EIA will be required.
Regulation on Environmental Impact Assessments apply to these types of development:
- restructuring of rural land holdings
- commencing to use uncultivated land or semi-natural areas for intensive agriculture
- land drainage works on lands used for agriculture - excluding drainage or reclamation of wetlands
| Type of on-farm activity: | Screening by DAFM required: | Mandatory EIA |
| Restructuring of rural land holdings | ||
| - Length of field boundary to be removed | Above 500 metres | Above 4 kms |
| - Area of lands to be restructured by removal of field boundaries | Above 5 hectares | Above 50 hectares |
| Recontouring (within farm holding) | Above 2 hectares | Above 5 hectares |
| Commencing to use uncultivated land or semi- natural areas for intensive agriculture | Above 5 hectares | Above 50 hectares |
| Land drainage works on lands used for agriculture | Above 15 hectares | Above 50 hectares |
The figures above refer to areas or lengths of works undertaken in any one year or the sum of such areas over a 5-yr period.
You can apply for screening if:
- the proposed activity exceeds the thresholds outlined above
- the proposed activity is within, is near, or may affect a proposed Natural Heritage Area or nature reserve
- the proposed activity may have a significant effect on the environment
- the proposed activity may impact on an archaeological monument - the National Monuments Service may direct you to apply for screening in the case of sub-threshold works that have been brought to their attention
- the proposed activity is identified as ‘requiring consent’ or is a ‘notifiable action’ in a European site such as Special Area of Conservation, Special Protected Area or an Natural Heritage Area
In such circumstances in a European site, the National Parks and Wildlife Service may direct you to apply to the Department for screening in the case of sub-threshold works that have been brought to their attention (via notifiable actions system or otherwise).
To apply for screening, complete the form below and submit it together with a map identifying the area where the proposed works are to take place to:
Application for an EIA Screening Decision
Please refer to the EIA Guide for Farmers prior to completing this application form.
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If your proposed works exceed the threshold for mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), or DAFM, following screening, considers that the works are likely to have a significant effect on the environment, work may not proceed without DAFM consent.
If consent is needed, you must make a further application to DAFM, which must be accompanied by an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and, where required, a Natura Impact Statement (NIS).
Where DAFM, following screening, considers that the project could have a significant effect on a European site (e.g. SAC, SPA), the application for consent must be accompanied by a Natura Impact Statement (NIS).
To apply for consent, complete the form below and submit it together with maps identifying the area where the proposed works are to take place and with the required EIS and/or NIS to:
EIA Section
Address:
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co. Wexford, Y35 PN52
In accordance with Article 12(1) of the EIA (Agriculture) Regulations (SI 456 of 2011 as amended) please see below Consent Application with all details in attachment. Submissions and observations may be made in writing or email by 5pm Tuesday 12 November 2024.
EIA Section
Address:
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co. Wexford, Y35 PN52
The Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) Regulations came into force on 8 September 2011 and 19 September 2017. The regulations apply to three different types of activities:
- restructuring of rural land holdings
- commencing to use uncultivated land or semi-natural areas for intensive agriculture
- land drainage works on lands used for agriculture
This document provides guidance to farmers on these Environmental Impact Assessment regulations.
Farmers' Guide to Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations
This document provides guidance on the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations for agriculture.
Download link for
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- S.I. No. 456/2011 - European Communities (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Agriculture) Regulations 2011. (irishstatutebook.ie)
- S.I. No. 142/2013 - European Communities (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Agriculture) (Amendment) Regulations 2013. (irishstatutebook.ie)
- S.I. No. 407/2017 - European Communities (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Agriculture) (Amendment) Regulations 2017. (irishstatutebook.ie)
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has announced the commencement of a review of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations and the opening of a public consultation to inform the process. Members of the public are advised to email your observations or comments to EIAReview@agriculture.gov.ie by 10/07/2023.
To assist you, relevant documents including an unofficial consolidated version of the Regulations can be accessed at Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) Regulations