New Areas of Natural Constraints Criteria

Paul Dillon, the Assistant Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, explained the new criteria for Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) funding for farmers to the Agriculture Committee. He and his colleagues then responded to a series of questions and concerns from the committee.

Eligibility for ANC will be based on new bio-physical criteria from 2019: Low temperature, dryness, excess soil moisture, limited soil drainage, unfavourable texture and stoniness, shallow rooting depth, poor chemical properties, and steep slope.

DOA project that 98% of lands eligible to date will remain eligible. 2200 new townlands (4,000 farmers) will become eligible. 700 townlands (760 farmers) will no longer be eligible (but can appeal), but they will receive a degressive phasing out payment in 2019 of 80% and 20% in 2020.

The estimated value of ANC to 96,000 Irish farmers in 2018 is an estimated €227 million. An additional €23 million has been allocated for 2019.