REAP (Results-Based Environment-Agri Pilot Project) is a new scheme that has been developed by the department of agriculture to trial an agri-environment results based scoring and payment system.
The long-term goal of the two year trial scheme is to provide an appropriate model for use in the sector as a follow on to the previously utilised GLAS scheme.
For the first year of the scheme, a total of just under €10m will be paid to almost 3,000 REAP farmers over the course of the year.
The REAP scheme is expected to bring greater biodiversity and environmental benefits to farmers across the country.
How Reap Works
Step 1
Agricultural advisors will make the applications on the farmer’s behalf, with successful applicants receiving a flat participation payment of €1,200.
The payment will be paid for low-input grassland (LIG) and/or multi-species ley (MSL). Farmers can avail of both types of payment or just one type of payment.
Step 2
After that, there will be a results-based environmental payment that will be linked to an assessment. These payments are subject to an upper limit of 10ha per applicant or up to 20ha in partnerships.
The assessment will be carried out by advisors and marks out of 10 will be issued to farmers for each individual field.
Step 3
In addition, successful applicants will be able to undertake complementary actions in the first year of the scheme, with an additional €1,200 available per holding.
This includes tree planting (paid at a rate of €9.20 per tree); and hedgerow planting or infilling of gaps (paid at a rate of €15.80/m).
