SERIOUS concerns have been raised this week by farm leaders about two new conditions being introduced this year into the Basic Income Support Scheme [BISS] which opened this week for applications.

Two new ‘Conditionality Standards’ are now part of this year’s scheme dealing with ‘social’ issues and requirements relating to carbon [peaty] soils.

The issue was ‘flagged’ last month by Independent Ireland TD, Michael Fitzmaurice, who warned that the changes relating to peaty and mineral soils could have ‘a catastrophic impact’ on West of Ireland farming.

In a press release issued this week, new Minister for Agriculture, Michael Heydon, spelled out what the two conditionality changes were, the second of which is called GAEC 2[Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition].

In GAEC 2 lands, ‘as a general rule’ new drainage or the deepening or extension of existing drains will not be permitted while also ‘ruled out’ is deep ploughing [more than 30cms] for grassland or arable crops. Maintenance/repairs of existing drains is allowed as is ‘shallow ploughing’ [less than 30cms] for arable crops. However, for grassland rejuvenation and reseeding shallow ploughing will only be allowed every four years.

“In practice, a farmer who wishes to carry out new drainage needs to consult with the mapping system on AgFood to check if the Land Parcel area involved is a GAEC 2 parcel.

“If so, then the relevant national provisions must be followed, for example seeking planning permission,” the statement from the Dept. of Agriculture and Minister Heydon points out. Farmers can also appeal a GAEC 2 land parcel rating.

In what is called ‘Social Conditionality’, a farmer in breach of legislation relating to workplace safety, employment standards or the safe operation of machinery, may then be subject to ‘additional conditionality penalties’ .

However, IFA President Francie Gorman, has this week said that Minister Heydon should have sought a further delay in the implementation of GAEC 2 with the EU Commission.

He added that the Minister ‘should have stood-up to the Commission’ and looked for the conditionality clauses to be reconsidered as part of the ‘much promised simplification package [with BISS].

“GAEC-2 will apply to up to 35,000 farmers.  While the measures may not impact on many farming activities in 2025, it is the thin end of the wedge, and there are real concerns that it will impact these farmers more in the future.

“There is no doubt but that the provisions of GAEC 2 are going to be problematic for Irish farmers given the amount of peat soil we have. Now, at the eleventh hour, farmers are only being informed of GAEC 2 measures. Any GAEC 2 measure that is introduced cannot damage the farm operation economically,” said Francie Gorman.

■ Farmers will receive their BISS application forms over the coming weeks with the deadline date for applications set at Thursday, May 15th, 2025.

Pictured: IFA President Francie Gorman