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ACRES Scheme Q&A

What the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is

ACRES is Ireland’s new agri-environment climate scheme under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan. This new €1.5 billion flagship agri-environment scheme is a farmer-friendly scheme to help address biodiversity decline while delivering an income support for up to 50,000 farm families in Ireland.

Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is a vital initiative in Ireland aimed at supporting farmers in adopting more sustainable practices that protect the environment, improve biodiversity, and enhance soil health. It provides financial incentives to farmers who implement specific environmental actions that contribute to climate resilience and biodiversity protection.

The ACRES scheme is in alignment with Ireland’s broader sustainability goals, ensuring that agricultural practices in the country are not only productive, but also environmentally responsible for future generations.

Key objectives of the ACRES scheme include:

  • Improving soil health and quality
  • Enhancing biodiversity and supporting wildlife
  • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
  • Promoting sustainable land management practices

 

What can be included in the ACRES Scheme:

Some of the actions that can be taken under the scheme.

  1. Planting A New Hedgerow
  2. Planting a Traditional Orchard
  3. Planting Trees in Riparian Buffer Zones
  4. Tree Belts for Ammonia Capture from Farmyards
  5. Tree Planting

There are many actions that can be taken, and actions taken are pre-approved through Application to the ACRES Scheme.

Applications are carried out by qualified Farm Advisors and letters of approval from the Department of Agriculture are required before plants can be purchased or work undertaken.

The Department of Agriculture’s Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme
(ACRES) Specification for Tranche 1 was published in November 2022 and is the main source of information for the criteria, guidelines, and recommendations for the scheme.

For additional help and support, a very good article in Farmers Journal, published in June 2022.

Questions and Answers for the ACRES Scheme

Tree Planting

Planting a Traditional Orchard

Planting Trees in Riparian Buffer Zones

Tree Belts for Ammonia Capture from Farm Yards

Planting a New Hedgerow

For more detailed guidance and to ensure compliance with the ACRES scheme, farmers can refer to the specifications provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and consult with professional operators.

SHOP our Full ACRES Scheme Q & A