Farm schemes in next CAP: Names, actions and payment rates

2023 farm schemes: An overview for Irish farmers

A raft of new farm schemes will come into effect on January 1^st, 2023, as part of the country’s new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

Under Ireland’s plan, scheme names have been changed, and some carry different requirements and conditions to our current policy.

So, what is changing in what is less than two weeks’ time at the time that That’s Farming publishes this article?

We have summarised some of those details, informing you about name changes, actions and payment rates for most of the main farm schemes.

BISS, SCEP and CIS-YF

• So firstly, the BPS (Basic Payment Scheme) will become BISS – Basic Income Support for Sustainability. Estimated rate of €158 for the national average. 1 entitlement = 1ha. Must be an active farmer, which means you meet the minimum stocking rate of 0.10 LU/ha. BISS capping above €60,000 with max payment of €66,000;
• Secondly, the BDGP (Beef Data and Genomics Programme) will become the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme, which basically combines some requirements under the current scheme and BEEP-S (weighing measures, for example). Payment rate of €225/ha for first 15 elgible ha and €180/ha (ref animals divided by 1.6 LU/ha). We compiled a comprehensive article on the SCEP.
• The Young Farmer Scheme’s (YFS) successor will be known as the Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers (CIS-YF), and it will be, as is the current case, separate from the national reserve. Max of 50 ha under CISYF with an estimated rate of €180. Also no longer based on payment entitlements – based on eligible ha;
• National Reserve – Young Farmer and New Farmer. Read more in this news article we compiled.
• Cross compliance/greening will be known as conditionality from the first of next month.
• New scheme from 2023, known as front-loading – Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability – CRISS – max of 30 ha with estimated rate of €43/ha.

SIS, ANC, and DBS 

• Eco-Scheme – Deliver two practices to qualify, with a payment rate of €70-€80/ha. Options include a space for nature, extensive livestock production, limiting chemical N use, planting native trees/hedgerows, using GPS-controlled fertiliser spreader/sprayer, soil sampling and appropriate liming, planting break crop, planting multi-species sward. Some are enhanced options, which can count as two ag practices;
• Areas of Natural Constraints – ANC – designation of ANC lands and payment rates unchanged. Min stocking rate reducing to 0.10 LU/ha;
• Protein Aid will continue with peas, beans, lupins and soya, all eligible for payment at a rate of €583/ha and protein/cereal mix at €292/ha;
• Sheep Welfare Scheme will become the Sheep Improvement Scheme with a payment rate of €12 per breeding ewe. Choose two measures from list of actions from category A or B, depending on if you have a lowland or hill flock. Also genotyped ram action. Read more in this news article;
• Dairy-Beef Scheme – DAFM intends to open for applications in 2024. According to document, payment will be for the use of high-DBI AI bulls in the previous season – so the 2023 breeding season for 2024. Payment rate of €20/calf.

ACRES, OFS, SIM and others 

• ACRES is GLAS’ successor – Actions to protect water quality, improve soil fertility, protect biodiversity, adapt to climate change, mitigate carbon emissions and reduce chemical fertiliser use. Max payment of €7,000 in the general scheme and €10,500 in the co-operation projects. Read more in this news article.
• Organic Farming Scheme – Higher payment rates of between €300-€800/ha for conversion, along with annual participation payments. Read more in this news article;
• SIM – Straw Incorporation Measure – Chop and incorporate straw from cereal crops of between 5-40ha annually. No changes to rates or crops – €150/ha for oilseed rape and €100/ha higher than this for wheat, oats, barley and rye;
• Also, schemes for TAMS/On-Farm Capital Investments Scheme, PO and sectoral supports, collaborative farming grant, European Innovation Partnerships, KT groups, LEADER programme and CPD for advisors.