Farming News
The latest farming news, events and scheme updates from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Issuing of ACRES 2024 balancing payments has commenced
The commencement of balancing payments of €33.2 million to farmers for their participation in the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) in 2024 has been announced.
16 May
Additional ACRES actions to be monitored by AMS in 2025
Its been announced that Area Monitoring System (AMS) will continue to be used to ensure that area-based schemes have met their eligibility requirements for 2025.
Last year, AMS monitored the two ACRES actions, Extensively Grazed Pasture and Winter Bird Food, as part of the 2024 ACRES checks.
This year, a further five ACRES actions will be added, namely Brassica Fodder Stubble, Catch Crops, Environmental Management of Arable Fallow, Riparian Buffer Zone – Arable and Riparian Buffer Zone – Grassland, which brings to seven the total number of ACRES actions that will be monitored by AMS in 2025.
15 May
Scheme payments are now available to view for the period up to 09 May.
09 May
Introduction of GAEC 2 as part of Conditionality from 2025
GAEC 2 is a mandatory condition of the payment of the Basic Income Support for farmers (BISS). Its objective is to protect wetlands and peatlands – high carbon soils. EU Regulations require all Member States to have the standard in place from the start of 2025.
02 May
Stakeholder summit to address increasing TB rates has been announced
Its been announced today that key stakeholders are to be brought together to meet next Thursday 8th May to discuss a reset of the TB programme aimed at addressing deteriorating TB disease levels.
01 May
2024 balancing payments under the Organic Farming Scheme has commenced
2024 balancing payments under the Organic Farming Scheme has commenced with 81% (3961) of farmers in the Organic Farming Scheme are receiving their balancing payments of over €6.98 million this week.
30 April
The housing order for poultry due to avian influenza risk has been lifted
The lifting of the compulsory housing order for poultry and captive birds, which was introduced in February to protect them during the higher risk period for avian influenza has been announced. The housing order (SI 31/2025) will be revoked with effect from 10th May 2025.
29 April
New €28 million beef scheme for suckler farmers announced
A new support scheme for the suckler beef sector has been announced and will open in early August. The 2025 Beef Welfare Scheme (BWS) has a budget of €28 million and will focus on practical measures to enhance animal health and husbandry on suckler farms.
22 April
Open Call for Farmer Safety, Health and Wellbeing Projects announced
An open call for farmer safety, health and wellbeing projects has been announced. The open call will encourage stakeholders to deliver projects that not only promote farm safety, but also the importance of physical and mental health among farmers.
18 April
CAP Strategic Plan Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme opens to new applicants
The reopening of the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme (DBWS) for new applicants has been announced.
9 April
Additional financial support available for farmers towards BVD eradication
Additional financial support to farmers to help assist BVD tissue testing for 2025 has been announced.
1 April
Open Call for Proposals for Forestry Promotion Projects for 2025/2026 launched
Open Call for Proposals for Forestry Promotion Projects for 2025/2026 has been launched. This public call for innovative projects will support and highlight the environmental, social and economic benefits of forestry, forests and timber products. Funding will be allocated by means of an open competition under a Forestry Promotion Projects Support Fund.
31 March
New €22 million National Sheep Welfare Scheme
Applications for the 2025 National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS) are now open. The scheme builds on the 2024 scheme. It allows farmers to carry out an additional action to maximise their scheme payments.
31 March
The Food Vision 2030 Dashboard has been launched. The Dashboard is a key component of the implementation and monitoring of Food Vision 2030 and is being launched on a phased basis. The dashboard establishes baseline data that will be used to assess, monitor and identify progress in achieving sustainability ambitions under Food Vision 2030, encompassing all the different pillars of sustainability - economic, environmental and social.
27 March
Continued vigilance urged following reports of foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in Slovakia
Slovakia confirmed three outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in cattle today. Given the highly contagious nature of the FMD virus, everyone in Ireland, particularly farmers, are urged to stay vigilant and to protect our Irish livestock. Those travelling to Ireland from FMD affected countries should take every precaution not to bring the disease with them via contaminated meat, dairy and materials such as clothing, shoes and equipment.
21 March
ACRES Payment Update – 07 April 2025
A total of €436 million has been paid to date (5 March 2025) to ACRES participants. The department is continuing to progress the contracts awaiting final payment in respect of 2023 and/or advance payment in respect of 2024, with the target of having as many as possible cleared by May 2025, with the most complex cases to be finalised in June 2025 at the latest. Balancing payments in respect of participation in ACRES in 2024 are scheduled to commence in the second half of May 2025.
5 March
As part of the government’s plan to improve water quality and secure Ireland’s next Nitrates Derogation, it was agreed with the Commission that an interim review of the 5th Nitrates Action Programme which runs to the end of 2025 would take place. This interim review has now concluded with the signing into law of a revised regulation. The regulation includes a number of strengthened and new measures which were developed in consultation with the Nitrates Expert Group as well as stakeholders on the Agriculture Water Quality Working Group.
28 February
Forest Windblow Taskforce Announced
The Taskforce will comprise stakeholders representing forest owners, forestry companies, Teagasc and Coillte. It will inform the department’s, and the wider sector’s, response to the storms, with particular emphasis on dealing safely with the large areas of forest that have been blown down. This will include a plan around the prioritisation of felling licences in respect of storm damage, and an examination of any issues that arise in relation to the harvesting, haulage and sawmilling of the blown trees.
29 January
Windblow and Storm damage Guidance for Forest Owners
If you experience windblow, the most important advice is not to rush into any decisions but to make a step-by-step plan to minimise risk and maximise the salvage value of your plantation. Think Safety first - A windblown forest is a dangerous place. Only qualified and insured operators should be permitted access.
23 January
- Published on: 17 January 2025
- Last updated on: 19 May 2025