Minister Charlie McConalogue has confirmed that GLAS PLUS (GLAS+) balancing payments will commence this week.
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine made the announcement earlier today (Friday, May 28th, 2021).
GLAS PLUS balancing payments 2021
This announcement means that almost €700,000 in GLAS+ balancing payments will be made to over 3,200 participants in the Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme (GLAS).
The balancing payment represents the final 15% of the 2020 GLAS+ payment. Furthermore, it completes the total payment for GLAS actions undertaken in 2020.
Over €1b in GLAS payments to date
The minister commented, “I am very pleased to be in a position to commence these GLAS+ balancing payments this week to over 3,200 farmers.”
“This cohort of GLAS participants have undertaken exceptional environmental commitments and are rewarded under GLAS with an additional annual payment of up to €2,000 in respect of 2020.”
“Today’s payment of €700,000 brings to over €1 billion the total payments made to date in respect of GLAS. I am also pleased to note that over 96% of GLAS participants have now been paid in full in respect of their 2020 GLAS commitments.”
He confirmed that the DAFM will continue to issue payments in any outstanding cases. The minister encouraged any farmers with outstanding queries to respond promptly to the Department to facilitate the issue of payments.
The minister said, GLAS:
- Underpins all goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reverse biodiversity decline;
- Will deliver significant levels of environmental dividends this year. These include targeting of vulnerable landscapes (including commonages) and protecting specific identified bird species and high-status;
- Protects over 60,000 hectares of traditional hay meadows;
- Also, protects over 5,500 archaeological monuments, planting;
- Maintains over 1.1m metres of new hedgerows;
- Provides bird, bat and bee nesting facilities;
- Lastly, plants and maintains over 1.5m trees.
Sheep Welfare Sheep Payments
Earlier this week, Minister McConalogue, announced the commencement of the 15% balancing payments to all eligible farmers under year 4 of the Sheep Welfare Scheme.
The rollout of the balancing payments brings the total paid under Year 4 of the Sheep Welfare Scheme to €16.6 million to some 18,300 farmers.
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