Payments under the 2026 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS), the Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability Scheme (CRISS) and the Eco Scheme have been increased from 70% to 75%, the Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has announced.
He also said that there will be flexibilities on requirements associated with certain actions in the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) and the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector.
It comes ahead of the meeting of the National Fodder and Feed Security Committee today (Friday) and calls from farm organisations for higher advance payments due to challenges caused by the current prolonged dry weather conditions.
ACRES
In response to the current impacts of the dry weather on livestock farmers, the minister is permitting mowing of lands under six ACRES actions for 2026 from 21 August, rather than the normal scheme requirement date of 31 August.
“I have decided that participants in ACRES who have grass margin actions or the riparian buffer zone/strip actions or those in ACRES Co-operation approach who have been approved for field margins or riparian margins as non-productive investments (NPIs) may mow those areas from 21 August, before the normal scheme specified date of 31 August 2026,” the minister stated.
“This will allow for earlier access for farmers to the off-takes from the almost 26,000ha of land covered by these ACRES actions.
“This should provide some immediate easing of pressure for fodder in certain areas and assist in securing better-quality fodder which earlier mowing can provide.”
Horticulture
Changes have also been made to the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector.
It will allow investments approved under the 2025 and the 2026 Scheme to submit a request to change their currently approved investment item(s) for investments in irrigation equipment. Applicants will be contacted by email on how they can amend their application.
Fodder committee meeting
The minister reiterated that he is committed to supporting the sector during this difficult time and that he is keeping the situation under close review.
“I would like to thank Mike Magan for convening the National Fodder and Food Security meeting at my request, which is being held today in Teagasc, Oak Park.
“The committee will provide a forum for communicating the latest information on grass production, fodder supply and on crop production on farms as well as ensuring a co-ordinated response, including on advice to farmers in managing the ongoing situation and in ensuring appropriate fodder supplies for the coming winter.”
SHARING OPTIONS