Update for participants on both approaches of the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES)

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine wishes to advise farmers who are participating in the Agri - Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) of the following:

1. Conservation of Rare Breeds for 2025 portal opening on Monday 7 September 2026

The Annual Declaration for the Conservation of Rare Breeds action may now be completed for 2025 on the ACRES Rare Breeds online portal on the MyAgFood system. The declaration may be completed by either the ACRES Advisor or by the participant themselves.

As stated in the ACRES Specifications, payment for this action is made in arrears based on the monthly average livestock units of owned registered animals over the previous recording year. The payment for the 2025 claim will form part of the 2026 balance payment which is due to issue in the second quarter of 2027.

To make the claim the following will be required:

1. Proof of membership of the relevant breed society
2. Identification documents and certificates issued by the relevant breed society for each registered animal.

To be eligible for the Conservation of Rare Breeds action, participants must have at least 0.10 Livestock Unit (LU) eligible for payment each year. The Department will also send an SMS to all ACRES participants who have the Conservation of Rare Breeds action approved as part of their ACRES contract to advise them that the ‘Rare Breeds’ portal is now available.

1. Deadline for submission of applications for the Non-Productive Investments (NPIs) for 2026 Annual Works Plans (AWP)

Participants of the Co-operation approach are reminded that the application window for NPI 2026 AWPs is open until the 14 October 2026. It should be noted that for Tranche 1 participants, those whose contracts began on 1 January 2023, this will be the last opportunity to apply for NPIs during their contracts which will expire on 31 December 2027

ACRES advisors may complete and submit NPI Annual Works Plans (AWP) through the Generic Land Management (GLAM) mapping system maintained by DAFM and accessible through MyAgfood.

The revised specification document is available on the Department and here.

Please also note that:

• Only one NPI-AWP may be submitted for an ACRES Co-operation participant in this application window.
• The NPI-AWP and application may be only amended at draft stage. Once submitted, it will not be possible to amend further.
• The closing date for the submission of application for NPIs in this (the 2026 NPI Application) window is Wednesday, 14 October 2026.