New agri-environment and farm safety training scheme for farmers launched

The initiative is a voluntary training scheme open to all farmers to improve their knowledge of agri-environment initiatives and farm safety. Launching the Scheme, Minister McConalogue commented: “I am delighted to be opening this Agri-Environment Training Scheme (AETS) as it will make available easily accessible information to farmers and increase their awareness and understanding of current issues. The one-day course will provide farmers with information on a range of topics, including environmental issues, lessons learnt from participation in the most recent agri-environment scheme, the concept of results based agri-environment measures, and farm health and safety standards. It’s part of our development of the next CAP and ensures that farmers are well placed to get the most from the range of environmental schemes starting next year”.

The Scheme is part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and is being made available in the transitional period before the proposed commencement of Ireland’s new CAP Strategic Plan in 2023. A budget of €7m is available for the scheme. The objectives of the Scheme are to train AETS farmer participants in environmental practices and standards, to enhance the uptake and execution of future agri-environment schemes, and to highlight the importance of farm safety. The courses will be created and undertaken by advisors approved by the Department as trainers for this specific scheme (‘AETS Trainers’) and they will provide a one-day course for interested farmers. At least half of the scheme will be delivered on a farm.

Minister Hackett said: “The next CAP in Ireland will be the most ambitious from an environmental point of view. It’s important that farmers are well placed to make the most of the available schemes and this training initiative with its focus on on-farm biodiversity and results-based focus will help them to do exactly that.”

Minister Heydon said: “As Minister with responsibility for farm safety I am determined that these type of training initiatives should include a module on farm safety. We must take every opportunity to get the message of safety-first onto farms and this scheme provides the opportunity to do that in a real-world setting. Last year we seen a significant improvement in our farm safety record but we must not become complacent. Every life lost on a farm is one too many and there is still much work to do.” Further Information about the scheme is available here: gov.ie - Agri-Environment Training Scheme (AETS) (www.gov.ie)