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Areas of Specific Constraints (Island Farming) Scheme
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
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The Areas of Specific Constraints (Island Farming) Scheme provides payments to people farming land on offshore islands. It aims to support the continuation of farming in these area by compensating farmers for the additional costs involved in farming such land.
To qualify for the Island Farming scheme, you must:
- hold a valid herd number and be farming ASC eligible lands, that is land must be situated on an off shore Island with no permanent access to the mainland e.g. bridge or causeway, in your own right
- maintain a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per eligible forage hectare for 7 consecutive months within the 2020 calendar year
- maintain an annual average stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per eligible forage hectare for the 2020 calendar year
Applicants with sheep or goats must have submitted a valid Sheep or Goat Census return within specified timelines. Arable lands, which are payable in designated areas under the scheme, are not subject to or taken into account 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. They should be read along with the terms of the Basic Payment Scheme.
Rates payable for each hectare are as follows:
| Area Designation | Payment Rates | Payable Area | |
| Island Farming | €250.00 | Up to and including the first 20 hectares | |
| Island Farming | €170.00 | Greater than 20 hectares or less than or equal to 34 hectares | |
| Island Farming | € 70.00 | Greater than 34 hectares or less than or equal to 40 hectares |
You can claim for a maximum of 40 hectares.
You apply for the Areas of Specific Constraints scheme as part of your Basic Payment Scheme application. To apply online, login or register at www.agfood.ie . You must apply by midnight on Wednesday 15 May 2020.
If your login or password are expired and need to be renewed please contact the Department’s helpdesk.
Agfood Online Services Helpdesk
Address:
Agfood Online Services help desk,
, Co Cavan,
Website:
Email:
Phone number:
Alternatively, you can authorise an agricultural consultant or Teagasc advisor to apply on your behalf.
