Participants who entered the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) under the first tranche can now avail of a voluntary training course under the ACRES Training Scheme (ATS).
According to Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, farmers who entered the scheme in 2023 are eligible for the training, which will aid them in the ongoing management of their land in ACRES. Tranche 2 participants will be able to avail of the scheme in 2026. Commenting, the minister said: “More than 97 per cent of all ACRES participants are now fully paid in respect of their participation in the scheme in 2023 and 2024 and, for those in receipt of results-based payments, this is an opportunity for them to learn more about the scorecards used to assess their lands when scoring and to learn about ways to improve overall score. For those in the ACRES Co-operation approach, it is also a timely opportunity for them to get information on Non-Productive Investments and/or Landscape Actions which may also assist them to improve the overall score of their holdings.”
Tranche 1 farmers are urged to contact an approved ACRES trainer, as listed on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s website, to arrange attendance at a voluntary ACRES training course which will be available to them up to December 31, 2025.
