Maidir leis an tionscadal

The West Connacht Co-operation Project (WCCP) is a part of the ACRES (Agri-climate, Rural Environmental Scheme) launched by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in 2022. The scheme will run between 2023 and 2027. The project is a partnership between Wetland Surveys Ireland and Pearl Mussel Project.

ACRES will replace the Green, Low-Carbon Agri Environmental Scheme (GLAS) when the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) begins in 2023.

This will be the strongest funded agri environment scheme to date at €300 million per year and will support farmers and meet the challenges of climate change. The flagship environmental scheme, will be user friendly for farmers, and will deliver broader environmental and biodiversity benefits.

The WCCP Co-operation Project team will provide expertise on, and assist with, the implementation of actions at farm and landscape level.

What environmental challenges will be addressed?

  • Agriculture’s contribution to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions

  • Carbon sink/emission source potential of soils

  • Energy use across farm systems

  • Increasing ammonia emissions

  • Decreasing water quality

  • Sub-optimal soil fertility

  • The pressure agriculture is placing on Ireland’s natural resources

  • The unfavourable or declining status of the majority of Ireland’s designated habitats and landscapes

  • Lack of forest area under protection

  • Preservation of biodiversity

  • Safeguarding landscapes and specific natural elements

  • Lack of climate adaptation measures

How to join

Nationally ACRES will fund and target up to 50,000 farmers with payments of up to €10,500 being made available.

It is proposed that that duration of the WCCP / ACRES contract will be for five years from the commencement date of your contract.

It is proposed that the intake into the scheme will be phased, with at least two tranches, to spread the workload on advisers and enable them to allocate sufficient time for the preparation of applications, and the completion of the Farm Sustainability Plan (FSP) and selection of appropriate actions.

Farmers can text the department on 50124, saying ‘DAFM ACRES’ followed by their herd number or partnership identification (ID). They will then receive a return text outlining which approach of the scheme they are in.

Applications to join the WCCP will be announced in 2023. All applications for the scheme must be prepared and completed by an approved FAS advisor.

Farmers with lands in any of these areas will be eligible to join the scheme once it is established. The map shows the extent of lands in the entire WCCP area.