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Environmental Impact Assessment Screening Service
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
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An Environment Impact Assessment is needed before farmers do certain types of development on their land. Screening is the cost-free process in which the Department examines the proposed activities for environmental impact to determine if they can go ahead without the need for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
Where the activities are likely to have a significant effect on the environment a full EIA will be required.
Regulation on Environmental Impact Assessments apply to these types of development:
- restructuring of rural land holdings
- commencing to use uncultivated land or semi-natural areas for intensive agriculture
- land drainage works on lands used for agriculture - excluding drainage or reclamation of wetlands
| Type of on-farm activity: | Screening by DAFM required: | Mandatory EIA |
| Restructuring of rural land holdings | ||
| - Length of field boundary to be removed | Above 500 metres | Above 4 kms |
| - Area of lands to be restructured by removal of field boundaries | Above 5 hectares | Above 50 hectares |
| Recontouring (within farm holding) | Above 2 hectares | Above 5 hectares |
| Commencing to use uncultivated land or semi- natural areas for intensive agriculture | Above 5 hectares | Above 50 hectares |
| Land drainage works on lands used for agriculture | Above 15 hectares | Above 50 hectares |
The figures above refer to areas or lengths of works undertaken in any one year or the sum of such areas over a 5-yr period.
You can apply for screening if:
- the proposed activity exceeds the thresholds outlined above
- the proposed activity is within, is near, or may affect a proposed Natural Heritage Area or nature reserve
- the proposed activity may have a significant effect on the environment
- the proposed activity may impact on an archaeological monument - the National Monuments Service may direct you to apply for screening in the case of sub-threshold works that have been brought to their attention
- the proposed activity is identified as ‘requiring consent’ or is a ‘notifiable action’ in a European site such as Special Area of Conservation, Special Protected Area or an Natural Heritage Area
In such circumstances in a European site, the National Parks and Wildlife Service may direct you to apply to the Department for screening in the case of sub-threshold works that have been brought to their attention (via notifiable actions system or otherwise).
Before applying, read the guidance for Farmers on Environmental Impact Assessment regulations . To apply for screening, complete the form below and submit it together with a map identifying the area where the proposed works are to take place to:
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Application for an EIA Screening Decision
Please refer to the EIA Guide for Farmers prior to completing this application form.
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