New CAP Schemes Relevant for Organic Farmers
Over last the number of months the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has started to roll out new schemes under the CAP 2023-2027. Many of these schemes are linked to a farmer’s application for Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS). Applications for BISS 2023 close at midnight on 29 May.
All farmers participating in the Organic Farming Scheme must complete a BISS application annually declaring all relevant land parcels as “in-conversion” or “organic”.
DAFM is organising a series of clinics and public meetings nationwide on Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) and other area-based schemes between March and May 2023. As well as the Organic Farming Scheme, several incentive-based schemes may be relevant to organic farmers – see table below for details.
Scheme | Rationale | Status |
Grant aid of up to 60% for eligible costs towards farm buildings as well as specialised equipment and machinery for different organic sub-sectors. | Pending | |
Incentivises uptake of basic agri-environmental practices, with farmers required to undertake 1-2 specific land management practices | Part of BISS Application Deadline 29 May 2023 | |
Encourages farmers to grow protein crops or mixes of cereal and protein crops to reduce the dependency on imported feed. | Part of BISS Application Deadline 29 May 2023 | |
Seeking to improve efficiencies in the beef sector through replacement strategies, genotyping, weighing, and data recording. | Separate Application Deadline 22nd May 2023 | |
Designed to increase soil organic carbon and consequently soil organic matter and biological activity through the chopping and incorporation of straw | Part of BISS Application Deadline 29 May 2023 | |
Further incentivises the uptake of agri-environmental practices either on an individual farm (ACRES General) or collectively with a group of farms (ACRES Co-operation). | Next Tranche Expected Autumn 2023 | |
Supports young farmers for up to 5 years who are entering the agriculture sector for the first time | Part of BISS Application Deadline 29 May 2023 | |
Knowledge Transfer Groups | Advisor-facilitated skills and knowledge transfer across different areas of farm and land management | June 2023 |