New farm plans established by the National Parks and Wildlife Service agri-ecology unit may include species-rich grassland plans, bird plans, arable farm biodiversity plans, multi-functional high nature value farm plans.
Increased allocation of €1m for the NPWS farm plan scheme
It is available to all farmers in designated areas. 95 applications were received. These applications were assessed based on priority, habitat and species targeted, whether site was in a designated area, the significance of the site locally, regionally and nationally. 78 applications were deemed of sufficient standard to take forward plans. Of these, 49 plans will be rolled out.
Payments initially will be small, IFA sees the introduction of the Scheme, which has been closed since 2010, as a stepping stone to full restoration of the Scheme.
https://www.npws.ie/news/minister-noonan-launches-call-npws-farm-plan-scheme