Hopes for two-year extension of GLAS scheme
THERE are indications of possible good news for farmers in the GLAS environmental scheme – which ends for many at the end of 2020 – that it may be extended for a further two years as part of a CAP transition package.
In the first tranche of GLAS applicants – back in the Autumn of 2015 – Galway topped the national ‘numbers league’ with 3,250 farmers from the county successful in their applications for inclusion.
Now, according to National IFA Rural Development Chairman, Mayo’s Michael Biggins, there are indications from the EU Commission that member states can re-open their agri-environmental schemes during a two-year CAP transition period.
He said that nationally, 36,000 farmers were due to conclude their GLAS contracts at the end of this year with an extra 12,000 farmers due to finish up in the environmental scheme in 2021.
Mr. Biggins said that at a meeting in Brussels of the Rural Development Civil Dialogue Group, addressed by EU Commission officials, it was made ‘very clear’ that member states could extend existing contracts by one or two years during the transition period (between now and the next CAP).
He said that the incoming Government – whoever they were going to be – could not allow a gap in GLAS payments to develop which would have a devastating effect on farm incomes over the next two years.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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