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Areas of Natural Constraints and Areas of Specific Constraint (Island) Schemes
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
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The Areas of Natural Constraints scheme provides payments to people farming land in designated disadvantaged areas. It aims to support the continuation of farming in these area by compensating farmers for the additional costs involved in farming such land.
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 Areas of Natural Constraints and the Areas of Specific Constraint schemes, you must:
- hold a valid herd number and be farming at least three hectares of eligible ANC lands in your own right. For ASC eligible lands, land must be situated on an off shore Island with no permanent access to the mainland e.g. bridge or causeway and farmed in your own right
- maintain a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per eligible forage hectare for 7 consecutive months within the 2021 calendar year
- maintain an annual average stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per eligible forage hectare for the 2021 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.
ANC Terms and Conditions 2022
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Guide to Area of Natural Constraints Scheme (ANC) 2022
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ANC Terms and Conditions 2021
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Guide to Area of Natural Constraints Scheme (ANC) 2021
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Areas of Natural Constraints and Areas of Specific Constraints conditions
Help sheet and terms and conditions for Areas of Natural Constraints and Areas of Specific Constraints (Island Farming) schemes 2020.
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2021 Eligible ANC townlands by County
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ANC Map
DownloadThe previous designated land types of 'Mountain', 'More Severely' and 'Less Severe' are now Category 1, 2 and 3, and the rates are as follows:
| Land Category | Area | 2021 Rate | |
| Category 1 | 1st 12 ha | €148.00 | |
| Category 1 | 13 - 34 ha | €112.00 | |
| Category 2 | 1st 10 ha | €111.00 | |
| Category 2 | 11 – 30 ha | €104.00 | |
| Category 3 | 1st 8 ha | €93.00 | |
| Category 3 | 9 – 30 ha | €88.25 |
Applicants maintaining a combination of Category 1, 2 and 3 land, will be paid up to a maximum of 30 hectares except where the area of Category 1 land declared is between 30 and 34 hectares. In these cases, the payment will be based on the number of hectares of Category 1 land declared.
Payment will be made in the order of Category 1, then Category 2 and lastly Category 3. This is to maximise the amount which can be paid to an applicant.
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.
Change of designation
Applicants who hold lands which are no longer eligible following the completed redesignation of ANC lands in 2019 will receive a transitional, or ‘degressive’ payment. This payment will be paid at a rate of €25 per qualifying hectare.
This payment will only be made where the applicant would in fact suffer a financial loss on foot of the redesignation of ANC lands. Where the applicant has sufficient eligible lands to claim full ANC payment no degressive payment will issue on the ineligible lands.
You apply for the Areas of Natural Constraints and the Areas of Specific Constraint ( Islands) schemes as part of your Basic Payment Scheme application. To apply online, login or register at www.agfood.ie. You must apply by midnight on Monday 17 May 2021.
If your login or password are expired and need to be renewed please contact the Department’s helpdesk .
Agfood Online Services Helpdesk
Address:
Government Offices, Farnham Street, Cavan, Co Cavan, H12 D459
Website:
Email:
Phone number:
Summary:
Agfood Online Services Helpdesk in the department's Cavan office.
Alternatively, you can authorise an agricultural consultant or Teagasc advisor to apply on your behalf.
