ACRES Claims and Scoring Deadlines Loom for Farmers

Farmers participating in the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) are now being urged to engage with their advisors as key deadlines and payment opportunities approach.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has confirmed that the assessment and scoring of ACRES land parcels is in full swing, with a final deadline of 31 August 2025 for completion.

Non-commonage lands attracting results-based payments are currently being evaluated using ten scorecards—seven habitat-focused and three species-specific, covering chough, breeding wader, and corncrake habitats.

The Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is a government initiative designed to support farmers in enhancing biodiversity, protecting habitats, and improving environmental sustainability across agricultural lands. Through results-based payments and targeted environmental actions, ACRES encourages farmers to adopt practices that benefit species and habitats while maintaining productive farming.

Farmers are reminded that their ACRES advisors must submit completed scorecards within 14 days of starting the first assessment, with no extensions beyond the August deadline. Timely submission is essential to ensure advance ACRES payments are issued later this year.

Commonage parcels are also being assessed—either by ACRES Co-operation Project Teams in designated zones or by contractors appointed by the Department in non-Co-operation areas.

In addition, the claims system for Non-Productive Investments (NPIs) is now open. ACRES Co-operation participants or their advisors can submit claims related to approved 2023 and 2024 Annual Work Plans. The Department has made available a webinar and Q&A guide to assist applicants, and queries can be directed to ACRESNPI@agriculture.gov.ie.

The Department has also launched the Landscape Actions phase of the ACRES Co-operation programme. These larger-scale projects focus on environmental priorities such as protecting threatened species, improving water quality, managing invasive species, and controlling encroaching scrub in species-rich grasslands. ACRES Co-operation Teams will work closely with farmers to develop applications through Landscape Action Annual Work Plans.

However, no final decisions on these actions will be issued until a public consultation on the Appropriate Assessment—required under environmental law—is completed and determinations made.

Farmers are advised to contact their advisors or visit the Department’s website for more information and updates.