AGRI-ENVIRONMENT OPTIONS SCHEME
And
NATURA 2000 SCHEME
Measures included in the CAP Rural Development Plan, co-funded under the National Development Plan 2007-2013
and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development of the European Union.
AEOS 3 Application Forms
Please read this section carefully before you complete and send the form back to the Department.
TO COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION YOU MUST:
•
Be a herdowner with an active herdnumber
•
Must have Herd Owner Status – Herd Keeper status not acceptable.
•
Have a Farm Map of your holding.
•
Know if any river on your farm, or bounding any part of the land you farm, is
designated SAC or SPA by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
•
Know if any of the land you farm and declare for the Single Payment Scheme in
2012 is a designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Area
(SPA) or Commonage shares.
•
Read both the Terms and Conditions and Specifications for the Scheme(s).
Completing the Application
•
There are five separate forms called Form A, Form B, Form W, Form C and Form N.
•
Form A is the basic application. Everyone has to fill this in.
•
You must also complete only one of the forms B, W, C or N.
-
Form B addresses the environmental priority Halting Biodiversity Decline.
Form W addresses the environmental priority Maintaining Water Quality.
Form C addresses the environmental priority Combating Climate Change.
Form N addresses designated lands (excluding short term rented in land or Forestry)
You must select at least one Mandatory and one Complementary Action or two Mandatory Actions
Points to note when selecting your preferred form.
Form B:
This form to be used if your preferred option is Halting Biodiversity Decline and there is less than 0.5ha of
UAA Natura or Commonage Land on your farm.
Form W:
This form is to be used if your preferred option is to Maintain Water Quality and there is less than 0.5ha of
UAA Natura or Commonage land on your farm.
You should also use form W if the only designated area is a river running through, or bounding the land
farmed you.
(In this instance you do not require the assistance of a planner to complete form W).
Form C:
This form is to be used if your preferred option is Combating Climate Change and there is less than 0.5ha of
UAA Natura or Commonage land on your farm.
Form N:
You should use form N if 0.5ha or more of the Utilisable Agricultural Area of your land, is designated
NATURA (SAC or SPA) or Commonage excluding short term rented in land, or Forestry, which must be
completed by a Planner.
Only Natura land declared in your name in your 2012 SPS application will be considered eligible.
It is very important that you use Form N if you have designated land, otherwise your application will not be
successful.
Please Note:
- All AEOS applications must be accompanied by a farm map clearly identifying the LPIS number and
the location where each action will be carried out.
- Area based actions must carried out on either a full LPIS parcel or on plots which you must apply to
Single Payment Section, Portlaoise to have digitised out as part of your 2013 SPS application. Failure
to digitise in 2013 will result in no payment issuing on this plot for the duration of the contract. Plots
submitted for re-digitisation must have permanent boundaries on the ground for actions chosen, the
area, linear length or unit of delivery must be given for each separate LPIS parcel for example, If you
select Traditional Stone Wall Maintenance on three different LPIS parcels you must state in the
application form the number of metres to be maintained on each individual parcel.
Submitting the completed application:
The following documents must be submitted to the Department:
• Completed Form A and either Form B, Form C, Form W or Form N as appropriate.
• A farm map clearly identifying the LPIS numbers and the locations where each action will be carried
out.
Closing date for receipt of applications is 30
November 2012.
Send the completed forms and maps to:
AEOS 3 Section
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Johnstown Castle Estate
Co. Wexford
Tel: 053-91 63400
Page 2 of 30
What happens after you submit your application?
1. The Department will acknowledge receipt of your application.
2. ALL applications will be assessed. Applications will not be accepted into the Scheme(s) on a
first come first served basis.
3. Successful applicants will be notified in writing of their acceptance into the Scheme(s) and of
the commencement date of their AEOS contract.
4. Applicants who are not successful will be notified in writing.
•
•
DO NOT COMMENCE ANY OF YOUR ACTIONS UNTIL YOU RECEIVE
NOTIFICATION IN WRITING THAT YOUR HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED INTO
THE SCHEME(S).
ANY ACTIONS CARRIED OUT OR MATERIALS PURCHASED BEFORE THE
COMMENCEMENT DATE NOTIFIED TO YOU WILL NOT BE PAID FOR.
For queries email: [email protected]
Page 3 of 30
APPLICATION FORM
FORM A
APPLICANT’S DETAILS
ADDRESS OF HOLDING
IF DIFFERENT FROM RESIDENCE
(Application must be made in the same name as in the
Single Payment Scheme Application)
PLEASE USE BLOCK CAPITALS
Name: ………………………………..
Address:………………………………...
Address:……………………………….
……………………………………………
…………………………………………
……………………………………………
…………………………………………
……………………………………………
…………………………………………
……………………………………………
Phone No: …………………………...
Mobile No: ……………………………..
E-mail address:
Herd No:
The information in this application is personal information and will not be disclosed to a person not
entitled to it. If you wish to nominate someone with whom the Department can correspond or discuss
details of your application with, please insert the name and contact details here:
Name:
_____________________________
Contact details: _____________________________
Are you a member of a Registered Milk Production Partnership
Yes
No
Declaration by applicant:
I/We declare that, to the best of my/our knowledge, all particulars given on this application are correct.
I/We agree to observe and be bound by all conditions of the scheme, including the requirement to have
soil analysis carried out and to make available all required information to the Department of
Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I/We understand and accept that it is my/our responsibility to
acquaint myself/ourselves with the conditions of the Schemes.
Signed ……………………………………………. Date _ _ / _ _ / _ _ _ _
Signed ……………………………………………. Date _ _ / _ _ / _ _ _ _
Page 4 of 30
FARMS WITH NATURA AND/OR COMMONAGE:
Have you at least 0.5ha of UAA on your farm, excluding short term rented in land, or forestry,
designated as a Natura 2000 site * ?
Yes
No
* i.e. a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) or a Special Protection Area (SPA)
If yes, go to Form N, which starts on Page 17. You must get a planner to complete this for you,
otherwise you will not be eligible for payment.
If you have less than 0.5ha of UAA Natura Land or Commonage on your farm you should not
complete Form N.
Note: If you have no eligible Commonage Land and the only eligible Natura area on your farm is a
designated river, a sustainable management plan will not be required if you select the Maintaining
Water Quality objective. All the riverbank on your holding must be fenced, unless the conservation
conditions attached to the designation indicate otherwise.
Have you at least 0.5ha of UAA on your farm, excluding short term rented in land, or forestry as
Commonage land ?
Yes
No
If yes, go to Form N, which starts on Page 17. You must get a planner to complete this for you.
Otherwise you will not be eligible for payment.
FARMS WITH LESS THAN 0.5HA UAA NATURA OR COMMONAGE OR NO
NATURA/COMMONAGE LAND:
Either Form B or Form W or Form C must be completed. These forms deal with different
Environmental Priorities as follows:
1. Halting Biodiversity Decline Form B which starts on page 6.
2. Maintaining Water Quality Form W which starts on page 10.
3. Combating Climate Change Form C which starts on page 13.
To select the Priority you are going to deal with, you should look at the actions needed for each (see
Forms B, W and C), and decide which actions are most suitable for your farm. Your AEOS application
must be accompanied by a Farm Map clearly identifying the LPIS number and location of where each
action will be carried out.
Page 5 of 30
FORM B
Farmers who select this environmental priority must select at least one Mandatory and one
Complementary Action or two Mandatory Actions
If you have more that 3 LPIS parcels to declare on any particular option, please use the additional sheet provided to record
the LPIS numbers. Area based actions must be delivered on a full LPIS parcel basis. If you choose either the Traditional
Hay Meadow, Species Rich Grassland, Wild Bird Cover, Green Cover Establishment or Minimum Tillage actions the only
other action you can select on the same LPIS parcel is either, Traditional Stonewall Maintenance, Hedgerow Coppicing
and Hedge Laying. However, if you choose Traditional Hay Meadow or Species Rich Grassland you can also select Water
Troughs. For each individual LPIS parcel, insert the area, linear length or unit as appropriate that is to be delivered on the
parcel.
Mandatory Actions
A minimum of ONE must
be chosen
√ Tick
chosen
options
LPIS Parcel No.
Where the chosen undertaking is to
be delivered on more than one LPIS
parcel the number of each parcel
must be inserted.
Area
Species Rich Grassland
N/A
Undertaking to be delivered on
whole LPIS parcel basis.
Max. per farm is 10 hectares
N/A
N/A
Traditional Hay
Meadow
N/A
Undertaking to be delivered on
whole LPIS parcel basis.
Max. per farm is10 hectares
N/A
N/A
Establishment and
Maintenance of Habitats
2.5m margin must be delivered
on a full boundary within a LPIS
parcel. Maximum 1500 metres
Linear Lengths or
Unit of delivery
2.5m x
Metres
2.5m x
Metres
2.5m x
Metres
Total length of fencing to be erected to maintain Habitats
(Cannot exceed total linear length of habitat undertaken)
Wild Bird Cover
Metres
N/A
Option A
N/A
Undertaking to be delivered on
whole LPIS parcel basis,
minimum of 0.5 hectares Max.
per farm is 3 hectares
N/A
N/A
OR
Option B – Restricted to
Target areas identified by
NPWS/Birdwatch in the
Boora area of West Offaly for
Grey Partridge
12m margin: A minimum length
of 420m. Maximum length of
2,500.
12m Margin
Page 6 of 30
Metres
Complementary
Actions
One of these must be
chosen if only one
Mandatory action has been
selected
√ Tick
chosen
options
LPIS Parcel No.
Where the chosen undertaking is to
be delivered on more than one
LPIS parcel the number of each
parcel must be inserted.
Linear Lengths or
Unit of delivery
3m margin
Metres
5.5m margin
Metres
10.5m margin
Metres
30.5m margin
Total length of fencing to be erected along margins
(Cannot exceed total linear length of margin undertaken)
Metres
Riparian Margins
No minimum
Area
Metres
N/A
N/A
LU
N/A
N/A
LU
N/A
N/A
LU
Tree Planting – Standard
N/A
Trees
A minimum of 10 trees and a
maximum of 25 trees per holding
N/A
Trees
N/A
Trees
Conservation of Animal
Genetic Resources
No minimum. Maximum 10 LU’s
Tree Planting – Whips
N/A
Whips
A minimum of 25 whips and a
maximum of 50 whips per holding
N/A
Whips
N/A
Whips
Coppicing Hedgerows
N/A
Metres
A minimum continuous length of
30 metres. Maximum length on
holding is 1,500 metres
N/A
Metres
N/A
Metres
Laying Hedgerows
N/A
Metres
A minimum continuous length of
15 metres. Maximum 1,000
metres
N/A
Metres
N/A
Metres
Traditional Stone Wall
Maintenance
N/A
Metres
N/A
Metres
N/A
Metres
No minimum. Maximum 4,000
metres
Additional Optional
Actions
One or more may be
chosen provided that 2
Mandatory actions or 1
Mandatory and 1
Complementary action
have already been
selected
Planting of New
Hedgerows
√ Tick
chosen
options
LPIS Parcel No.
Where the chosen undertaking is to
be delivered on more than one LPIS
parcel the number of each parcel
must be inserted.
A minimum continuous length of
30 metres. Maximum of 200m on
the holding
Arable Margins
3m margin must be delivered on
a full boundary within a LPIS
parcel.
Area
Linear Lengths or
Unit of delivery
N/A
Metres
N/A
Metres
Metres
N/A
3m margin x
Metres
3m margin x
Metres
3m margin x
Metres
Green Cover
Establishment from a
Sown Crop
N/A
Minimum of 4 hectares
N/A
N/A
Page 7 of 30
Additional Optional
Actions
One or more may be
chosen provided that 2
Mandatory actions or 1
Mandatory and 1
Complementary action
have already been
selected
√ Tick
chosen
options
LPIS Parcel No.
Where the chosen undertaking is to
be delivered on more than one LPIS
parcel the number of each parcel
must be inserted.
Use of New Technologies
for Slurry Spreading
Minimum of 100m3 of slurry
applied
Area
Linear Lengths or
Unit of delivery
N/A
m³
N/A
m³
N/A
m³
Minimum Tillage
N/A
Minimum of 4 hectares must be
undertaken
N/A
N/A
N/A
Water Trough
Installation
No minimum. Maximum 10
N/A
Trough(s)
N/A
Trough(s)
NOTE: Maximum payment entitlement per calendar year is limited to €4,000.
Page 8 of 30
Trough(s)
To record additional land parcels for Form B
Herd No: _________________________
Action and Description
e.g. Complementary Riparian Margins
LPIS Parcel
Number
Where the chosen
undertaking is to be
delivered on more than one
LPIS parcel the number of
each parcel must be inserted.
Page 9 of 30
Area
Linear Lengths
or Unit of
delivery
FORM W
Farmers who select this environmental priority must select at least one Mandatory and one
Complementary Action or two Mandatory Actions
If you have more that 3 LPIS parcels to declare on any particular option, please use the additional sheet provided to record
the LPIS numbers. Area based actions must be delivered on a full LPIS parcel basis. If you choose either the Traditional
Hay Meadow, Species Rich Grassland, Wild Bird Cover, Green Cover Establishment or Minimum Tillage actions the only
other action you can select on the same LPIS parcel is either, Traditional Stonewall Maintenance, Hedgerow Coppicing
and Hedge Laying. However, if you choose Traditional Hay Meadow or Species Rich Grassland you can also select Water
Troughs. For each individual LPIS parcel, insert the area, linear length or unit as appropriate that is to be delivered on the
parcel.
Indicate whether River SAC
Mandatory Actions
A minimum of ONE must
be chosen
√ Tick
chosen
options
Yes
No
LPIS Parcel No.
Where the chosen undertaking is to
be delivered on more than one
LPIS parcel the number of each
parcel must be inserted.
3m Margin
Metres
5.5m Margin
Metres
10.5m Margin
Metres
30.5m Margin
Total length of fencing to be erected along margins
(Cannot exceed total linear length of margin undertaken)
Metres
Metres
Riparian Margins
No minimum
Water Trough
Installation
No minimum. Maximum 10
Complementary
Actions
One must be chosen if
only one Mandatory
action has been selected
Linear Lengths or
Unit of delivery
Area
√ Tick
chosen
options
N/A
Troughs
N/A
Troughs
N/A
Troughs
LPIS Parcel No.
Where the chosen undertaking is to
be delivered on more than one LPIS
parcel the number of each parcel
must be inserted.
Area
Linear Lengths or
Unit of delivery
Species Rich Grassland
N/A
Undertaking to be delivered on
whole LPIS parcel basis
Max. per farm is 10 hectares
N/A
Traditional Hay
Meadow
N/A
N/A
N/A
Undertaking to be delivered on
whole LPIS parcel basis Max.
per farm is 10 hectares
N/A
Arable Margins
3m margin must be delivered on
a full boundary within a LPIS
parcel.
3m margin x
Metres
3m margin x
Metres
3m margin x
Green Cover
Establishment from a
Sown Crop
Metres
N/A
N/A
N/A
Minimum of 4 hectares
N/A
Minimum Tillage
N/A
Minimum of 4 hectares must be
undertaken
N/A
Use of New Technologies
for Slurry Spreading
Minimum of 100m³ of slurry
applied.
Page 10 of 30
N/A
m³
N/A
m³
N/A
m³
FORM W continued
Additional Optional
Actions
One or more may be
chosen provided that 2
mandatory actions or 1
mandatory and 1
complementary action
have already been
selected
Planting of New
Hedgerows
√ Tick
chosen
options
LPIS Parcel No.
Where the chosen undertaking is to
be delivered on more than one LPIS
parcel the number of each parcel
must be inserted.
A minimum continuous length of
30 metres. Maximum of 200m on
the holding
Linear Lengths or Unit
of delivery
Area
N/A
Metres
N/A
Metres
Metres
N/A
Wild Bird Cover
N/A
Option A
N/A
Undertaking to be delivered on
whole LPIS parcel basis,
minimum of 0.5 hectare.
Max. per farm is 3 hectares
N/A
N/A
OR
Option B – Restricted to
Target areas identified by
NPWS/Birdwatch in the
Boora area of West Offaly for
Grey Partridge
12m margin: A minimum length
of 420m. Maximum length of
2,500
12m Margin
Metres
N/A
Trees
N/A
Trees
N/A
Trees
N/A
Whips
N/A
Whips
N/A
Whips
Tree Planting –
Standard
A minimum of 10 trees and a
maximum of 25 trees per holding
Tree Planting – Whips
A minimum of 25 whips and a
maximum of 50 whips per
holding
Establishment and
Maintenance of Habitats
N/A
Metres
2.5m margin must be delivered
on a full boundary within a LPIS
parcel. Maximum 1500 metres
N/A
Metres
N/A
Metres
Metres
Conservation of Animal
Genetic Resources
No minimum. Maximum 10 LU’s
Total length of fence to be erected to maintain Habitats
(Cannot exceed total linear length of habitat undertaken)
N/A
N/A
LU
N/A
N/A
LU
N/A
N/A
LU
Coppicing Hedgerows
N/A
Metres
A minimum continuous length of
30 metres. Maximum length on
holding is 1,500 metres
N/A
Metres
N/A
Metres
Laying Hedgerows
N/A
Metres
A minimum continuous length of
15 metres. Maximum 1,000
metres
N/A
Metres
N/A
Metres
Traditional Stone Wall
Maintenance
N/A
Metres
N/A
Metres
N/A
Metres
No Minimum. Maximum 4,000
metres
NOTE: Maximum payment entitlement per calendar year is limited to €4,000
Page 11 of 30
To record additional land parcels for Form W
Herd No: _________________________
Action and Description
E.g. Complementary Riparian Margins
LPIS Parcel
Number
Where the chosen
undertaking is to be delivered
on more than one LPIS
parcel the number of each
parcel must be inserted.
Page 12 of 30
Area
Linear Lengths or
Unit of delivery
FORM C
Farmers who select this environmental priority must select at least one Mandatory and one
Complementary Action or two Mandatory Actions
If you have more that 3 LPIS parcels to declare on any particular option, please use the additional sheet provided to record
the LPIS numbers. Area based actions must be delivered on a full LPIS parcel basis. If you choose either the Traditional
Hay Meadow, Species Rich Grassland, Wild Bird Cover, Green Cover Establishment or Minimum Tillage actions the only
other action you can select on the same LPIS parcel is either, Traditional Stonewall Maintenance, Hedgerow Coppicing
and Hedge Laying. However, if you choose Traditional Hay Meadow or Species Rich Grassland you can also select Water
Troughs. For each individual LPIS parcel, insert the area, linear length or unit as appropriate that is to be delivered on the
parcel.
Mandatory Actions
A minimum of ONE must
be chosen
√ Tick
chosen
options
LPIS Parcel No.
Where the chosen undertaking is
to be delivered on more than one
LPIS parcel the number of each
parcel must be inserted.
Arable Margins
3m margin must be delivered on a
full boundary within a LPIS
parcel.
Area
3m margin x
Metres
3m margin x
Metres
3m margin x
Metres
Green Cover
Establishment from a
Sown crop
N/A
N/A
N/A
Minimum of 4 hectares
N/A
Minimum Tillage
N/A
Minimum of 4 hectares must be
undertaken
Complementary
Actions
One of these must be
chosen if only one
mandatory action has been
selected
N/A
√ Tick
chosen
options
LPIS Parcel No.
Where the chosen undertaking is
to be delivered on more than one
LPIS parcel the number of each
parcel must be inserted.
Area
Linear Lengths or
Unit of delivery
3m margin
Metres
5.5m margin
Metres
10.5m margin
Metres
30.5m margin
Total length of fencing to be erected along margins
(Cannot exceed total linear length of margin undertaken)
Metres
Metres
Riparian Margins
No Minimum
Linear Lengths or
Unit of delivery
Planting of New
Hedgerows
N/A
A minimum continuous length of
30 metres. Maximum of 200m on
the holding
N/A
Tree Planting – Standard
A minimum of 10 trees and a
maximum of 25 trees per holding
Tree Planting – Whips
A minimum of 25 whips and a
maximum of 50 whips per holding
Page 13 of 30
Metres
Metres
N/A
Metres
N/A
Trees
N/A
Trees
N/A
Trees
N/A
Whips
N/A
Whips
N/A
Whips
Form C Continued
Complementary Actions
One of these must be chosen if
only one mandatory action has
been selected
√ Tick
chosen
options
LPIS Parcel No.
Where the chosen undertaking is to
be delivered on more than one
LPIS parcel the number of each
parcel must be inserted.
Area
Species Rich Grassland
Linear Lengths or
Unit of delivery
N/A
N/A
Undertaking to be delivered on whole
LPIS parcel basis.
Max. per farm is 10 hectares
N/A
Traditional Hay Meadow
N/A
Undertaking to be delivered on whole
LPIS parcel basis.
Max. per farm is 10 hectares
N/A
N/A
Use of new technologies for
slurry spreading
N/A
m³
N/A
m³
A minimum of 100m³ of slurry applied
N/A
m³
Additional Optional
Actions
One or more may be
chosen provided that 2
Mandatory actions or 1
Mandatory and 1
Complementary action
have already been selected
√ Tick
chosen
options
LPIS Parcel No.
Where the chosen undertaking is
to be delivered on more than one
LPIS parcel the number of each
parcel must be inserted.
Establishment and
Maintenance of Habitats.
2.5m margin must be delivered on
a full boundary within a LPIS
parcel. Maximum 1500 metres
Coppicing Hedgerows
Linear Lengths or
Unit of delivery
Area
Total length of fence to be erected to maintain Habitats
(Cannot exceed total linear length of habitat undertaken)
N/A
2.5m x
Metres
2.5m x
Metres
2.5m x
Metres
Metres
Metres
A minimum continuous length of
30 metres. Maximum length on
holding is 1,500 metres
N/A
Metres
N/A
Metres
Laying Hedgerows
N/A
A minimum continuous length of
15 metres. Maximum 1,000 metres
Metres
N/A
Metres
N/A
Metres
N/A
Trough(s)
N/A
Trough(s)
N/A
Trough(s)
N/A
Metres
N/A
Metres
N/A
Metres
Water Trough
Installation
No minimum. Maximum 10
Traditional Stone Wall
Maintenance
No minimum. Maximum 4,000
metres
Conservation of Animal
Genetic Resources
N/A
N/A
LU
N/A
N/A
LU
No minimum. Maximum 10 LU’s
N/A
N/A
LU
Page 14 of 30
Additional Optional
Actions
One or more may be
chosen provided that 2
Mandatory actions or 1
Mandatory and 1
Complementary action
have already been selected
Wild Bird Cover
√ Tick
chosen
options
LPIS Parcel No.
Where the chosen undertaking is
to be delivered on more than one
LPIS parcel the number of each
parcel must be inserted.
Area
Linear Lengths or
Unit of delivery
N/A
Option A
N/A
Undertaking to be delivered on
whole LPIS parcel basis,
minimum of 0.5 hectares.
Max. per farm is 3 hectares
N/A
OR
Option B- Restricted to
Target areas identified by
NPWS/Birdwatch in the Boora
area of West Offaly for
Grey Partridge
12m margin: A minimum length of
420m. Maximum length of
2,500m.
12m Margin
Metres
NOTE: Maximum payment entitlement per calendar year is limited to €4,000
Page 15 of 30
To record additional land parcels for Form C
Herd No: _________________________
Action and Description
LPIS Parcel Number
E.g. Complementary Riparian Margins
Where the chosen undertaking
is to be delivered on more than
one LPIS parcel the number of
each parcel must be inserted.
Page 16 of 30
Area
Linear Lengths or
Unit of delivery
FORM N
Sustainable Management Plan for Natura or Commonage
Completion of Form N is Mandatory for Commonage land and Natura (SAC & / SPA) where the designated area of the holding, excluding
short term rented land and forestry, is equal to or greater than 0.5 hectares of UAA. If you have less than 0.5 hectares of UAA Natura
and/or Commonage, you do not have to complete a Form N. If Corncrake lands identify as ‘CK’
Table 1. Natura (SAC & / SPA) on owned/leased private land i.e. not commonage.
A
Site Code
B
C
D
E
F
G
LPIS
Number
LPIS Area
(SPS reference
area)
Is all the land
in the parcel
designated
Natura?
Eligible Area
claimed for Natura
payment where full
parcel is designated
Eligible Area
claimed for Natura
payment where only
part of the parcel is
designated
State whether
Owned
Leased
on SPS
Where the full LPIS parcel is designated the area at E should be completed and column F should be populated as zero (Do not leave blank).
If only part of the parcel is designated use column F and column E should be populated as zero (Do not leave blank).
Table 2. Commonage Land (Natura and Non – Natura)
A
Site Code
for SPA
or SAC
(where
applicable)
B
C
D
E
F
LPIS
Number
Full LPIS
Area (SPS
reference
area)
Area Claimed
of this LPIS by
you on your
2012 SPS
Is all the land
in the parcel
designated
Natura (Y / N)
Area of parcel
claimed for
Natura
payment
The total of the areas at F and G should equal the area in column D.
Page 17 of 30
G
Area of parcel
claimed for non
Natura
Commonage
payment
H
State whether
Owned
Leased
on SPS
SECTION II
Development of Sustainable Management Plan
The Sustainable Management Plan must ensure full compliance with the relevant
NPWS site management plan, agreed farming conditions and, in the case of
commonage lands, the implementation of the New Review of Commonages and all
other mandatory site-specific farming conditions. The Plan must be prepared by a
person or persons with professional qualifications in agricultural and or
environmental science.
In the case of Non-commonage Natura designated sites where there are no NPWS
farming conditions agreed, the planner(s) must prepare an environmental report outlining
the habitat types, their current condition and a sustainable stocking regime for the site.
The report shall be supported by a representative series of photographs, with their
location identified on the map. The photographs must be dated and numbered on the
back according to the map location. At least 4 close-up colour photographs are required
to demonstrate the range of habitats present and their current condition.
The following stocking rate guidelines will assist in arriving at a sustainable stocking
level for relevant habitats on non commonage designated sites.
Stocking rates
Undamaged Blanket Bog
Should never exceed 1 ewe/ha/annum and generally should not exceed 0.5 ewes/ha in wetter areas.
Undamaged Wet Heaths and Dry Heaths
Should never exceed 1.5 ewes/ha/annum and may need to be considerably less e.g. depending on
heather content and form.
Undamaged Grasslands
Should never exceed 5 ewes/ha/annum in very good quality Agrostis/Festuca mixes.
Page 18 of 30
Sustainable Management Plan 1 (To be used for Privately
Owned or Leased Natura Land Only i.e. not commonage as
identified in table 1 on page 17)
A Sustainable Grazing and Management Plan, to include the following information, must be
prepared for any Natura (SAC & / SPA) whether privately owned and or leased (i.e. not
commonage) on the farm where it is greater than 0.5 hectare of UAA.
3
NOTE: EVERY FIELD IS MANDATORY AND MUST BE POPULATED
Complete the Following for every Site Code identified in table 1 on page 17
Site Code
Specify LPIS Parcels
Conditions
Information
General site description
(Designated Area Site
Synopsis available on
NPWS Website)
Dominant Habitat Type
(Designated Area
Synopsis available on
NPWS Website)
Overall assessment of
condition
Select the most appropriate overall condition of the habitats within the LPIS parcel from the
3 categories provided below.
Good condition with negligible
impact from pressures
Poor condition with moderate
impact from pressures
Bad condition with severe
impact from pressures
Comments:
Grazing and
Describe the grazing regime to be followed, including animal types, sustainable numbers, grazing
period, to protect against undergrazing and overgrazing
Page 19 of 30
Management regime to
be followed to achieve
conservation objectives
Other measures to
achieve conservation
objectives
Com – Commence
C – Cessation
R – Reduction
I – Increase
Ch – Change
DB – Drain blocking
List other activities that should be undertaken in this LPIS parcel to help achieve the designated
areas conservation objectives. Where the activity is an Activity Requiring Consent (ARC; see list
attached below) this should be indicated and the advice of the local NPWS field staff must be
sought. NPWS’s recommendation must be forwarded to Johnstown Castle where it will be put
on the Applicants AEOS 3 File.
Arc (Y/N)
Further Details on the Activity such as timeline and area
the recommendation applies to.
Activity (encircle)
Burning
Scrub
Removal/Control/Coppicing
Reseeding
Inorganic/Organic Fertilisation
Mowing/Cutting
Supplementary Feeding
Planting of trees/sowing of crops
Drainage works/control of water
levels
Use of pesticides, including
herbicides
Other Activities (specify)_
Comments.
Plan goal for LPIS parcel
(assess prospects)
Describe the outcome that the above measures and grazing regime will achieve for the LPIS
parcel within the term of the plan. Where appropriate, specify quantifiable deliverables.
Good prospects – measures
likely to succeed
Poor prospects- not likely to
succeed in the term of the plan
Bad prospects - the damage is
irreparable
Comments:
Signature of Planner:
Qualification(s) and Date(s) Achieved:
Name of University:
Date:
Phone Number:
_______________________________
Page 20 of 30
NOTE: EVERY FIELD IS MANDATORY AND MUST BE
POPULATED - Complete the Following for every Site Code identified in table 1
on page 17.
Site Code
Specify LPIS Parcels
Conditions
Information
General site description
(Designated Area
Synopsis available on
NPWS Website)
Dominant Habitat Type
(Designated Area Site
Synopsis available on
NPWS Website)
Overall assessment of
condition
Select the most appropriate overall condition of the habitats within the LPIS parcel from the 3
categories provided below.
Good condition with negligible
impact from pressures
Poor condition with moderate
impact from pressures
Bad condition with severe
impact from pressures
Comments:
Grazing and
Management regime to
be followed to achieve
conservation objectives
Describe the grazing regime to be followed, including animal types, sustainable numbers, grazing
period, to protect against undergrazing and overgrazing
Other measures to
achieve conservation
objectives
List other activities that should be undertaken in this LPIS parcel to help achieve the designated
areas conservation objectives. Where the activity is an Activity Requiring Consent (ARC; see list
attached below) this should be indicated and the advice of the local NPWS field staff must be
sought. NPWS’s recommendation must be forwarded to Johnstown Castle where it will be put on
the Applicants AEOS 3 File.
Page 21 of 30
Arc (Y/N)
Com – Commence
C – Cessation
R – Reduction
I – Increase
Ch – Change
DB – Drain blocking
Further Details on the Activity such as timeline and area
the recommendation applies to.
Activity (encircle)
Burning
Scrub
Removal/Control/Coppicing
Reseeding
Inorganic/Organic Fertilisation
Mowing/Cutting
Supplementary Feeding
Planting of trees/sowing of crops
Drainage works/control of water
levels
Use of pesticides, including
herbicides
Other Activities (specify)_
Comments.
Plan goal for LPIS
parcel (assess prospects)
Describe the outcome that the above measures and grazing regime will achieve for the LPIS parcel
within the term of the plan. Where appropriate, specify quantifiable deliverables.
Good prospects – measures
likely to succeed
Poor prospects- not likely to
succeed in the term of the plan
Bad prospects - the damage is
irreparable
Comments:
Signature of Planner:
Qualification(s) and Date(s) Achieved:
Name of University:
Date:
Phone Number:
_______________________________
Page 22 of 30
Sustainable Management Plan 2 (To be used for Commonage Land
(Natura and Non – Natura) as identified in table 2 on page 17)
Review of the Commonage Framework Plans
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has decided to introduce measures under
the provisions of Article 6 of Council Regulation (EC) No 73/2009 for the maintenance of certain
lands, including commonages declared under the Single Payment Scheme, the Disadvantaged
Areas Scheme, REPS, AEOS and the Grassland Sheep Scheme. As part of this process the
Commonage Framework Plans, first published in 2002, were reviewed to take account of the
current vegetative condition of commonages nationally. The Review has been carried out on a
commonage LPIS parcel basis and sets a minimum and maximum number of ewe equivalents
required to graze the commonage parcel to ensure that it is maintained in Good Agricultural
and Environmental Conditions (GAEC).
The overall numbers required for each commonage LPIS parcel are apportioned to all claimants
on a commonage based on the area of the commonage they claimed on their 2012 SPS
application. It should be noted that the area of commonage claimed by an applicant on their
SPS application does not amend or adjust the actual share of the commonage owned by them.
Maintaining commonage land in GAEC is vital to protect against areas being deemed ineligible
under the Single Payment Scheme (SPS)/other Direct Aid Schemes and consequential
imposition of sanctions under Cross Compliance/GAEC provisions.
In advance of completing Form N on behalf of clients, planners should access the Commonage
Database on www.agfood.ie which shows the revised Ewe Equivalent stocking figures as
calculated by NPWS for each commonage (note - a commonage may be made up of more than
one LPIS parcel). The planner should multiply the percentage area of the commonage claimed
by his/her client on their 2012 SPS application by the total Ewe Equivalent to identify the
minimum and maximum stocking figure to be adhered to by their client. This minimum and
maximum figure should be inserted at the bottom of the table of the Sustainable Management
Plan, Number 2.
Page 23 of 30
Sustainable Management Plan 2 (To be used for Commonage Land
(Natura and Non – Natura) as identified in table 2 on page 17)
A Sustainable Grazing and Management Plan, to include the following information, must be
prepared for any Commonage Land (Natura and Non-Natura) on the farm where it is greater
than 0.5 hectare of UAA.
NOTE: EVERY FIELD IS MANDATORY AND MUST BE
POPULATED – Complete the Following for each separate Commonage
identified in table 2 on page 17
LPIS Parcel No’s.
Conditions
Information
General site description
on a Commonage basis
See
http://www.commonage.
agriculture.gov.ie
Dominant Habitat Type
See
http://www.commonage.
agriculture.gov.ie
Overall assessment of
condition
Select the most appropriate overall condition of the habitats within the LPIS parcel from the 3
categories provided below. The above grazing assessment should be factored into the
decision as to the most appropriate descriptor.
Good condition with negligible
impact from pressures
Poor condition with moderate
impact from pressures
Bad condition with severe
impact from pressures
Comments:
Other measures to
achieve conservation
objectives
List other activities that should be undertaken in this LPIS parcel to help achieve the designated
areas conservation objectives. Where the activity is an Activity Requiring Consent (ARC; see list
attached below) this should be indicated and the advice of the local NPWS field staff must be
sought. NPWS’s recommendation must be forwarded to Johnstown Castle where it will be put on
the Applicants AEOS 3 File.
Page 24 of 30
Arc (Y/N)
Com – Commence
C – Cessation
R – Reduction
I – Increase
Ch – Change
DB – Drain blocking
Further Details on the Activity such as timeline and area
the recommendation applies to.
Activity (encircle)
Burning
Scrub
Removal/Control/Coppicing
Reseeding
Inorganic/Organic Fertilisation
Mowing/Cutting
Supplementary Feeding
Planting of trees/sowing of crops
Drainage works/control of water
levels
Use of pesticides, including
herbicides
Other Activities (specify)_
Comments.
Plan goal for LPIS
parcel (assess prospects)
Describe the outcome that the above measures and grazing regime will achieve for the LPIS parcel
within the term of the plan. Where appropriate, specify quantifiable deliverables.
Good prospects – measures
likely to succeed
Poor prospects- not likely to
succeed in the term of the plan
Bad prospects - the damage is
irreparable
Comments:
Overall Commonage Grazing Requirement to keep it in GAEC:
Min,_____ Max,_____ Ewe Equivalents (taken from the Commonage
Database on www.Agfood.ie)
Grazing regime to be
followed to protect
against under grazing
and over grazing
Individual Grazing Requirement:
Min,_____ Max,_____
Ewe Equivalents
Grazing Regime
Signature of Planner:
Qualification(s) and Date(s) Achieved:
Name of University:
Date:
Phone Number:
_______________________________
Page 25 of 30
NOTE: EVERY FIELD IS MANDATORY AND MUST BE
POPULATED – Complete the Following for each separate Commonage
identified in table 2 on page 17
LPIS Parcel No’s.
Conditions
Information
General site description
on a Commonage basis
See
http://www.commonage.
agriculture.gov.ie
Dominant Habitat Type
http://www.commonage.
agriculture.gov.ie
Overall assessment of
condition
Select the most appropriate overall condition of the habitats within the LPIS parcel from the 3
categories provided below. The above grazing assessment should be factored into the
decision as to the most appropriate descriptor.
Good condition with negligible
impact from pressures
Poor condition with moderate
impact from pressures
Bad condition with severe
impact from pressures
Comments:
Other measures to
achieve conservation
objectives
List other activities that should be undertaken in this LPIS parcel to help achieve the designated
areas conservation objectives. Where the activity is an Activity Requiring Consent (ARC; see list
attached below) this should be indicated and the advice of the local NPWS field staff must be
sought. NPWS’s recommendation must be forwarded to Johnstown Castle where it will be put on
the Applicants AEOS 3 File.
Page 26 of 30
Arc (Y/N)
Com – Commence
C – Cessation
R – Reduction
I – Increase
Ch – Change
DB – Drain blocking
Further Details on the Activity such as timeline and area
the recommendation applies to.
Activity (encircle)
Burning
Scrub
Removal/Control/Coppicing
Reseeding
Inorganic/Organic Fertilisation
Mowing/Cutting
Supplementary Feeding
Planting of trees/sowing of crops
Drainage works/control of water
levels
Use of pesticides, including
herbicides
Other Activities (specify)_
Comments.
Plan goal for LPIS
parcel (assess prospects)
Describe the outcome that the above measures and grazing regime will achieve for the LPIS parcel
within the term of the plan. Where appropriate, specify quantifiable deliverables.
Good prospects – measures
likely to succeed
Poor prospects- not likely to
succeed in the term of the plan
Bad prospects - the damage is
irreparable
Comments:
Overall Commonage Grazing Requirement to keep it in GAEC:
Min,_____ Max,_____ Ewe Equivalents (taken from the Commonage
Database on www.Agfood.ie)
Grazing regime to be
followed to protect
against under grazing
and over grazing
Individual Grazing Requirement:
Min,_____ Max,_____
Ewe Equivalents
Grazing Regime
Signature of Planner:
Qualification(s) and Date(s) Achieved:
Name of University:
Date:
Phone Number:
_______________________________
Page 27 of 30
ARC list
Activity
Code
Activity description
ARC-01
Reclamation, including infilling.
ARC-02
Use of excavators, rock breakers, bulldozers, back hoes or use of any other hydraulically-powered excavation equipment.
ARC-03
Blasting, drilling, dredging or otherwise removing or disturbing rock, minerals, mud, sand, gravel or other sediment.
ARC-04
All activities relating to turf cutting and/or peat extraction.
ARC-05
Cutting, uprooting or otherwise removing plants. [Consent is not required for harvesting of cultivated crops, or for grazing or mowing.]
ARC-06
Introduction, or re-introduction, of plants or animals not found in the area. [Consent is not required for the planting of crops on established
reseeded grassland or cultivated land.]
ARC-07
Removal of geological specimens including rock samples, minerals or fossils.
ARC-08
Undertaking scientific research involving the collection and removal of biological material.
ARC-09
Construction or alteration of tracks, paths, roads, bridges, culverts or access routes.
ARC-10
Construction, removal or alteration of fences, stone walls, hedgerows, banks or any field boundary other than temporary electric fencing.
[Consent is not required for normal maintenance.]
ARC-11
Digging, ploughing, harrowing or otherwise disturbing soil or substrate. [Consent is not required for these activities on established
reseeded grassland or cultivated land provided it is greater than 50m from a river, stream, floodplain, wetland, lake, turlough or pond.]
ARC-12
Applying inorganic or organic fertiliser, including slurry and farmyard manure. [Consent is not required for these activities on established
reseeded grassland or cultivated land provided it is greater than 20m from a river, stream or floodplain; or greater than 50m from a
wetland, lake, turlough or pond.]
ARC-13
Applying lime. [Consent is not required for this activity on established reseeded grassland or cultivated land provided it is greater than
20m from a river, stream or floodplain; or greater than 50m from a wetland, lake, turlough or pond.]
ARC-14
Storage, burial, disposal or recovery of any materials. [Consent is not required for these activities on established reseeded grassland or
cultivated land provided it is greater than 20m from a river, stream or floodplain; or greater than 50m from a wetland, lake, turlough or
pond.]
ARC-15
Burning, topping, clearing scrub or rough vegetation or reseeding. [Consent is not required for these activities on established reseeded
grassland or cultivated land provided it is greater than 20m from a river, stream or floodplain; or greater than 50m from a wetland, lake,
turlough or pond.]
ARC-16
Modification of caves and/or their entrances.
ARC-17
Agricultural improvement of heath or bog.
ARC-18
Application of pesticides, including herbicides. [Consent is not required for these activities on established reseeded grassland or cultivated
land provided it is greater than 20m from a river, stream or floodplain or greater than 50m from a wetland, lake, turlough or pond.]
ARC-19
Supplementary feeding of livestock. [Consent is not required for this activity on established reseeded grassland or cultivated land provided
it is greater than 20m from a river or stream; or greater than 50m from a wetland, lake, turlough or pond.]
ARC-20
Significant changes in livestock density (including introduction of grazing), changes in livestock type or grazing season, other than on
established reseeded grassland. [Consent is not required for changes of less that 20% in livestock density unless notice has been given that
a lower percentage is applicable to a particular site.]
ARC-21
Grazing of livestock between 1st April and 31st October on traditional winterages.
ARC-22
Changing of agricultural use from hay meadow to any other use.
ARC-23
Mowing of grass crops. [Consent is not required unless notice has been given that mowing on specified lands is likely to interfere with the
breeding and reproduction of corncrakes during the period specified in the said notice.]
ARC-24
Works on, or alterations to, the banks, bed or flow of a drain, watercourse or waterbody.
ARC-25
Drainage works including digging, deepening, widening or blocking a drain, watercourse or waterbody.
ARC-26
Entry of livestock or machinery into stretches of river containing, or upstream from, freshwater pearl mussel.
ARC-27
Water abstraction, sinking of boreholes and wells.
ARC-28
Felling of trees or removing timber, including dead wood.
ARC-29
Planting of trees or multi-annual bioenergy crops.
ARC-30
Any activity intended to disturb birds, including by mechanical, air, gas, wind powered or audible means.
ARC-31
Developing or consenting to the development or operation of commercial recreational/visitor facilities or activities.
ARC-32
Off-road recreational use of mechanically propelled vehicles.
ARC-33
Using or permitting the use of land for car parking.
ARC-34
Alteration, renovation or removal of buildings, ruins or other structures.
ARC-35
Alterations or repair of sea defences or coast protection works, including cliff or landslip drainage or stabilisation measures.
ARC-36
Harvesting marine invertebrate species in intertidal areas.
ARC-37
Driving mechanically propelled vehicles in intertidal areas, except over prescribed access routes.
ARC-38
Undertaking active acoustic surveys in the marine environment.
Page 28 of 30
Do you want to take on AEOS actions as well as Natura 2000 and Commonage?
If you wish to claim an AEOS payment in addition to the Natura 2000/Commonage
payment, your planner must complete the following form. (The AEOS undertaking
cannot be on commonage land. Entire payment entitlements for Natura/Commonage
and AEOS cannon exceed €4000 per calendar year.)
If you have more that 3 LPIS parcels to declare on any particular option, please use the additional sheet
provided to record the LPIS numbers. Area based actions must be delivered on a full LPIS parcel basis. If
you choose either the Traditional Hay Meadow, Species Rich Grassland, Wild Bird Cover, Green Cover
Establishment or Minimum Tillage actions the only other action you can select on the same LPIS parcel is
either, Traditional Stonewall Maintenance, Hedgerow Coppicing and Hedge Laying. However, if you
choose Traditional Hay Meadow or Species Rich Grassland you can also select Water Troughs. For each
individual LPIS parcel, insert the area, linear length or unit as appropriate that is to be delivered on the
parcel.
Measures
√ Tick
chosen
options
LPIS Parcel No.
Where the chosen undertaking is to
be delivered on more than one LPIS
parcel the number of each parcel
must be inserted.
Area
Species Rich Grassland
N/A
Undertaking to be delivered on
whole LPIS parcel basis.
Max. per farm is 10 hectares
N/A
N/A
Traditional Hay
Meadow
N/A
Undertaking to be delivered on
whole LPIS parcel basis.
Max. per farm is10 hectares
N/A
N/A
Establishment and
Maintenance of
Habitats
2.5m margin must be delivered
on a full boundary within a
LPIS parcel. Maximum 1500
metres
2.5m x
Metres
2.5m x
Metres
2.5m x
Metres
Total length of fencing to be erected to maintain Habitats
(Cannot exceed total linear length of habitat undertaken)
Wild Bird Cover
Metres
N/A
Option A
N/A
Undertaking to be delivered on
whole LPIS parcel basis,
minimum of 0.5 hectares Max.
per farm is 3 hectares
N/A
N/A
OR
Option B – Restricted to
Target areas identified by
NPWS/Birdwatch in the
Boora area of West Offaly
for
Grey Partridge
12m margin: A minimum length
of 420m. Maximum length of
2,500.
12m Margin
Metres
3m margin
Metres
5.5m margin
Metres
10.5m margin
Metres
30.5m margin
Total length of fencing to be erected along margins
(Cannot exceed total linear length of margin undertaken)
Metres
Riparian Margins
No minimum
Linear Lengths or
Unit of delivery
Metres
Conservation of Animal
Genetic Resources
No minimum. Maximum 10
LU’s
N/A
N/A
LU
N/A
N/A
LU
N/A
N/A
LU
Page 29 of 30
Tree Planting –
Standard
N/A
Trees
A minimum of 10 trees and a
maximum of 25 trees per
holding
N/A
Trees
N/A
Trees
N/A
Whips
N/A
Whips
N/A
Whips
Tree Planting – Whips
A minimum of 25 whips and a
maximum of 50 whips per
holding
Coppicing Hedgerows
N/A
Metres
A minimum continuous length
of 30 metres. Maximum length
on holding is 1,500 metres
N/A
Metres
N/A
Metres
Laying Hedgerows
N/A
Metres
A minimum continuous length
of 15 metres. Maximum 1,000
metres
N/A
Metres
N/A
Metres
Traditional Stone Wall
Maintenance
N/A
Metres
N/A
Metres
N/A
N/A
Metres
Metres
N/A
Metres
No minimum. Maximum 4,000
metres
Planting of New
Hedgerows
A minimum continuous length
of 30 metres. Maximum of
200m on the holding
Arable Margins
3m margin must be delivered
on a full boundary within a
LPIS parcel.
Metres
N/A
3m margin x
Metres
3m margin x
Metres
3m margin x
Metres
Green Cover
Establishment from a
Sown Crop
N/A
Minimum of 4 hectares
N/A
N/A
Use of New
Technologies for Slurry
Spreading
N/A
m³
N/A
m³
N/A
m³
3
Minimum of 100m of slurry
applied
Minimum Tillage
N/A
Minimum of 4 hectares must be
undertaken
N/A
N/A
Water Trough
Installation
No minimum. Maximum 10
Page 30 of 30
N/A
Trough(s)
N/A
Trough(s)
N/A
Trough(s)