Farming News Louis Murchan RESULTS BASED ENVIRONMENT-AGRI PILOT PROJECT (REAP) LAUNCHED The max payment in this pilot measure is €6,900/farmer, but it is very unlikely that anyone will achieve this. In fact many, or most will achieve absolutely nothing financially out of this, ans there is only enough funding available for 2000 farmers. That is approximately 77 farmers per county, or 3.5 farmers per advisor. This is not what one would call a good start. Why farm organisations, agricultural associations or individuals are accepting this situation is unclear. But this is what we were offered recently, in terms of “A New REPS”. Called a Transitional Measure, its not really that, more of a quick-fix that was designed by a committee of non-academic bureaucrats in Soviet Russia in the early seventies, to stem the floor of capitalism in the Gulags in The Stepps. I kid you not. Minister Jim Hacker and his advisors, Sir Humphray and Bernard couldn’t have come up with as bad a proposal, in “Yes, Minister”. And that was only fiction. To offer the farming community a scheme, turn it into a lottery and tell everyone that they need to apply, or get your advisor to carry out a “selection of the fittest” type screening is a long way away from REPS. Minister McConalogue is new to the game, and third choice for the job, but to describe this as such: “REAP is an ambitious, innovative and exciting new pilot programme. It will identify returns from specific farm measures while delivering a key new income to farmers.” But, to who and to how many, Minister? However, down to some to the specifics: To qualify land can be owned, leased or rented, but land entered should be retained for the duration of the contract or penalties may apply. Two hectares is the minimum and 10ha is the maximum except in the case of partnerships. There was initially a possibility that advisors may submit only 10 applications but now they may submit as many as they like. However, of these only 5 – 6 of these will be selected, by DAFM!!!! This turns the scheme into more of a lottery than an agri-environmental scheme. The scheme will run for the remainder of 2021 and the duration of 2022 and there will be only be one tranche and it will not reopen for new applicants in 2022. Hopefully there will be a more comprehensive and thought-out scheme offered to farmers coming out of GLAS in 2023. To apply, all applications must be submitted by an agricultural advisor and must be submitted by May 10th. Initially, “Expression of Interest” applications will be submitted which will incur a low cost, but for those selected to participate fully, larger costs will be involved. The advisor does not need to assess the land until after the training takes place in June. Approval letters will issue in May and will be issue to the applicant, but the advisor will receive notification of approvals. Farm Partnerships may apply the same as any other farm entity. Once approved, farm checks by DAFM Inspectors will take place at payment stage to ensure that all participants are eligible for the project. All applicants must have submitted a valid 2020 BPS application including all lands to be entered into REAP and anyone who was ever approved into REPS, AEOS or GLAS are not allowed apply, nor are participants in any locally based agri-environmental schemes or Organic Farmers. Commonage land does not come under the scheme and no payments will be derived from maintain lands. Selection will be by ranking, so you will be compared with your neighbour, and not be judged on your own merit. If your neighbour is lucky enough to be better off than you financially, and have a better “set-up” that you, lucky him. You lose. HEDGHOG SURVEY Among all the “doom and gloom” here’s something that may raise a smile. Hedgehogs are such lovable little creatures, and so beneficial to our ecosystem, that there are little friends that we must protect. The first bit of advice is that if you see one on the road, slow down and let him pass. The Irish Hedgehog Survey is seeking to build a greater understanding of hedgehog distribution and population status across the island of Ireland. 14 Corca Dhuibhne Beo
The hedgehog is one of Ireland’s most familiar mammal species, yet there is a dearth of information on its status in Ireland. Studies from Britain and elsewhere in Europe have found that hedgehog numbers are in steep decline due to habitat loss and fragmentation from changing farming practices and development. As the environment in Ireland is experiencing similar pressures the hedgehog population in Ireland may be similarly affected. This study will provide baseline data on the distribution and status of hedgehogs in Ireland in order to fill the gap in our knowledge. The survey is a collaborative project between researchers in NUI Galway and the National Biodiversity Data Centre. How you can help? As hedgehogs are nocturnal they are not often seen in the wild unless they are found dead on roads, or if they are regular visitors to gardens at night. The Irish Hedgehog Survey is looking to receive any sightings of live or dead hedgehogs to build up a more detailed picture of where they occur. If you see a hedgehog, please report the sighting using the Irish Hedgehog Survey recording form, available on their website. In addition to collecting casual hedgehog sightings, the Irish Hedgehog Survey is seeking volunteers to participate in a more focused survey using footprint tunnels or camera traps to survey for hedgehogs in the garden. No specialist training is required and a simple footprint tunnel can be made at home. The survey will run between the start of June and the end of September. You can find information here https://www.irishhedgehogsurvey.com/. There is also a questionnaire for farmers to answer about hedgehogs on their land. It is a short, simple survey and the results will be very helpful in mapping the distribution on hedgehogs in the Irish countryside. The Irish Hedgehog Survey is also looking to receive any hedgehog corpses. If you find a dead hedgehog, for example, a roadkill animal, please collect the specimen, place in a plastic bag (double bag if necessary), labelled with the date and location, and contact NUI Galway (elaine.oriordan@ nuigalway.ie) to arrange a collection. If possible, please chill or freeze the specimen until collection. A little information about hedgehows won’t go astray: They are known as the West European Hedgehog, but are native to Ireland. They are one of our most instantly recognisable mammal species with their spiny coats. Adult hedgehogs measure between 15cm and 30 cm and weigh up to 2kg while juveniles are smaller. They are found throughout the country and will live in farmland, woodland, gardens and parks. They avoid very wet areas and conifer plantations and they are scarce in upland regions. They favour habitats with good cover of bushes and hedgerows which provide them with shelter, food and corridors to travel through the countryside. They are solitary animals and they may have several, temporary nests that they use to rest during the day. Animals are usually most active from April to October, but they can occasionally be seen also during the winter months. While there is existing data on hedgehog distribution in Ireland, there is still much to learn about its precise habitat preferences. Hedgehogs emerge at night to feed on insects such as beetles and other small invertebrates like millipedes and snails. They will also opportunistically feed on carrion, eggs, frogs and fallen fruit. If hedgehogs encounter danger, they will roll into a ball with spines raised to protect themselves. The badger is the only effective predator of hedgehogs in Ireland. Females usually have one litter per year with most hoglets born in June and July. Breeding can take place between April and September but litters born later in the season may not have time to grow big enough to survive hibernation. Hedgehogs are true hibernators – they hibernate during the winter months, but if the weather is very mild, they may wake up to feed. TIPS FOR FARMERS APPLYING FOR A HERD NUMBER Apart from lland and livestock, the next most important thing you need is a Herd Number. Sometimes a new number will be required, and other times, you will just need to re-register an existing number. Either way, it is a simple process. The application process is simple. Each applicant has to fill out two forms called ER1 and ER1.1. These are then submitted along with ownership or lease agreements of the land that each applicant is going to farm. Usually, a farm inspection occurs after the application is processed to assess the farm and housing and handling facilities. Applying for herd numbers takes
