REPS 4: Farmers Handbook - Department of Agriculture

CONTENTS 

GENERAL INFORMATION 

What is REPS? .................................................................2 

What have you to do to join REPS? ..............................2 

What is a REPS Plan?......................................................2 

You and Your Planner ...................................................2 

Your Responsibilities ... ..................................................3 

What happens next?......................................................3 

FAQs ................................................................................4 

MEASURES 

Measure 1 .......................................................................8 

Measure 2 .....................................................................13 

Measure 3 .....................................................................16 

Measure 4 .....................................................................18 

Measure 5 .....................................................................21 

Measure 6 .....................................................................23 

Measure 7 .....................................................................24 

Measure 8 .....................................................................25 

Measure 9 .....................................................................27 

Measure 10 ...................................................................30 

Measure 11 ...................................................................31 

Natura 2000, NHA & Commonage sites......................32 

SUPPLEMENTARY MEASURES 

1 Conservation of Wild Bird habitats..........................33 

2 Traditional Irish Orchards ........................................34 

3 Rare Breeds...............................................................35 

4 Riparian Zones..........................................................36 

5 LINNET Habitats .......................................................37 

6 Low Input Spring Cereals........................................39 

7 Minimum Tillage ......................................................40 

8 Traditional Sustainable Grazing..............................41 

9 Clover Swards ...........................................................42 

10 Mixed Grazing.........................................................43 

11 Lake Catchments .....................................................44 

12 Heritage Buildings ..................................................45 

APPENDICES 

Appendix A...................................................................46 

Appendix B ...................................................................48 

Appendix C ...................................................................60 

Appendix D...................................................................62 

Appendix E ...................................................................73 

Appendix F ...................................................................74 

Appendix G...................................................................77 

CONTENTS 

1

FARMER’S HANDBOOK FOR REPS 4 

2 

WHAT IS REPS? 

REPS is the Rural Environment Protection Scheme. It rewards farmers for farming in an 

environmentally friendly way. 

WHAT HAVE YOU TO DO TO JOIN REPS? 

● You must be farming a minimum of 3 hectares owned or leased (excluding commonage 

and grazing rights). 

● You must include NATURA 2000, NHA and Commonage sites in the plan. 

● You must have a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per hectare of forage. 

● You must agree to join for 5 years. 

● You must have your land included annually in a Single Payment Scheme application. 

● You must read this book together with the terms and conditions of REPS 4. (Available 

from local AES Office). 

● You must employ an approved planner to prepare a farm plan. 

WHAT IS A REPS PLAN? 

A plan is a description of your farm and farming activities as they relate to the scheme 

requirements. It will set out for the next 5 years what you have to do each year under various 

measures. 

YOU & YOUR PLANNER ... 

You can choose any planner from a list of approved planners. You can get the list from your local 

AES Office or on the Department’s website. 

You employ the planner to prepare your REPS Plan. Your planner should advise you on all 

matters to do with the scheme, including: 

● Fertiliser use 

● Changes or additions to your animal housing facilities 

● Changes to feed and waste storage facilities 

● Changes to your current farming system 

● Choosing the REPS Options and Supplementary Measures that suit you 

● The work you will have to do under each measure for each year of your plan. 

● Amendments to your plan 

● Your obligations under Irish and EU law.

Your planner will also have to certify that you have complied with your REPS undertakings 

before you get your fourth-year payment. 

Remember! The contract for the provision of a REPS planning service is between you and your 

planner. You have the right to change planners at any time. 

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES 

You must read your REPS plan carefully before it is submitted to the Department. You need to 

be sure that you can do everything in the plan. 

You must also comply with this Farmer’s Handbook and the REPS 4 Terms and Conditions. 

WHEN DO YOU APPLY TO JOIN THE SCHEME? 

You can apply to join REPS at any time of the year but your farm plan must not be more than 

six months old. Your REPS contract will begin on the first day of the following month. 

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU SEND IN YOUR 

FARM PLAN? 

You will get an acknowledgment from the Department and they will start processing your 

application. You must start farming according to your plan from the first day of the month after 

you send it in to the local AES office. 

The Department will carry out necessary pre-payment checks on your application and farm plan, 

which may include an on-farm inspection. If any problem is found, the Department will notify 

you. It must be resolved before you can be paid. 

GENERAL INFORMATION 

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F A Q’S 

When will your contract start? 

If your application and plan are correct your contract will start on the first day of the month 

after you send them in to the Department. 

When will you get paid? 

Even though your REPS contract can start at any time of the year, under EU rules you must also 

apply for your payment every year between 1st January and the closing date for the Single 

Payment Scheme application. The letter you get when you are accepted into REPS will explain 

how this works, but basically it means that if you join REPS after the closing date for the Single 

Payment application, we may not be able to give you your first payment until the next Single 

Payment application period. It will of course be backdated to the start of your REPS contract. 

You will get your payments for the other four years on the anniversary of your start-date, 

assuming everything is in order. 

It is your responsibility to ensure that all documentation for second and subsequent years’ 

payments is submitted within the specified time limit. 

Must you get your REPS paid into your bank account? 

Yes, this is an EU requirement for all Schemes from January 2009. You must complete a REPS 

BKPAY1 Form (available from your local AES office). 

Do you have to complete a Single Payment Scheme application form each year? 

Yes, the Department can only pay if the plots are declared each year on your Single Payment 

Scheme application. 

What do you have to do if you rent land short-term? 

Land rented for less than 5 years is short-term. You must declare short-term rented land on your 

Single Payment Scheme application each year. You must manage this land in accordance with 

the REPS scheme requirements. 

Will you get paid for short-term rented land? 

No. 

Can you get paid if you acquire more land? 

Yes: 

● If your contract area is increased by more than 2 ha, you must submit a new five-year 

plan to receive payment on your additional land. 

● If your contract area is increased by less than 2 ha, you must submit an amended plan 

with your 1C to receive payment. 

What happens if you sell land or give up leased land? 

Normally you will have to return the money you have been paid for that land. This rule does not 

apply if the new owner or tenant keeps the land in REPS, if it is afforested or if it was acquired 

from you by a Compulsory Purchase Order. 

Can you increase or reduce your stock numbers? 

If you intend to increase your stock numbers or stocking density by more than 10%, or if you 

propose to reduce your stock numbers by 20% or more, you will need an amended plan.

What do you have to do if you change crop type? 

You must ensure that you don’t use more fertiliser than is allowed for the new crops you are 

growing. You might want to ask your planner about this. There is no requirement to have your 

plan amended, however. 

What do you do if you change your farming system? 

You must get your planner to amend your plan. 

Can you import or export organic manures? 

Yes, as long as you fill in the form REPS W and submit it to the Department within 6 weeks. 

Can you allow another farmer’s livestock graze on your holding? 

Yes, as long as you fill in the form REPS G and submit it to the Department within 6 weeks. Cattle 

may only be grazed for a maximum of 4 consecutive months between April 1st and October 

31st. 

If you are a stable owner or horse breeder and you own a minimum of 4 livestock units of horses 

on average throughout the year, and maintain a minimum stocking rate of 1 horse livestock unit 

per 4 hectares, the grazing of livestock is permitted throughout the period from April 1st to 

October 31st. Livery businesses may take in horses throughout the year. 

The grazing of sheep is permitted at any time throughout the year but not for more than 4 

consecutive months. 

The movement of livestock between holdings must be entered on the REPS participant’s 

Herd/Flock register and must comply with the Department’s Animal Health and Welfare 

requirements. 

Can you avail of winter housing on another holding? 

Yes, as long as you fill in the form REPS H and submit it to the Department within 6 weeks. But 

there are some other conditions as well: 

● Housing facilities must comply with REPS Specifications. 

● The waste produced must be disposed of on your own holding or exported to another 

REPS farm. 

Can livestock belonging to another farmer be housed on your holding? 

Yes, as long as you fill in the form REPS H and submit it to the Department within 6 weeks. But 

there are some other conditions as well: 

The other farmer’s stock must have separate housing facilities. 

There must be separate waste storage facilities and separate air space. 

The waste produced must be disposed of on the farm where the fodder comes from. 

Can you leave REPS before the five-year contract is up? 

If you leave REPS before your five-year contract is up, you may be asked to give back all of the 

REPS payments. There are just a few exceptions to this rule. You will not be asked to give the 

money back if — 

● You give up farming completely, and you have done three years of your REPS contract; 

● Your holding is taken over by someone who keeps it in REPS; 

● You are leaving because of what is known as force majeure — this means one of the 

following: 

● Death; 

✍ Long term professional incapacity; 

✍ Expropriation (for example a Compulsory Purchase Order) of a large part of the 

FAQs 

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holding, if it could not have been 

foreseen when you joined; 

✍ A natural disaster affecting the 

holding’s agricultural land; 

✍ The accidental destruction of livestock 

buildings on the farm; 

✍ An outbreak of disease affecting all or 

part of the livestock on the farm; 

✍ The disposal or vacation of land to 

satisfy a court order or legal settlement 

in cases of marital breakdown. 

Will your farm be subject to REPS inspections? 

Yes, the Department has to carry out inspections and checks at farm level to ensure that REPS 

farmers have done what they have undertaken to do in their farm plans. Farmers who are found 

not to have complied may be subject to inspection more often. 

What happens if you do not have the work done? 

Your next payment will be cut. If you have already got all five of your payments, you will have 

to pay back the appropriate amount. 

Single Payment Scheme (SPS) Cross Compliance Inspections 

Under EU rules, penalties under the SPS for breach of GAEC or SMRs will also be applied to 

other EU Schemes including REPS and Natura. 

Can you appeal a penalty? 

You may appeal any penalty to the Department. If this appeal is unsuccessful, you may lodge a 

further appeal to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office. 

Can you still be an organic farmer in REPS? 

Organic farming is now a separate Scheme but you can be in that Scheme and REPS at the same 

time. You can get a copy of the Organic Farming Scheme and an application form from the 

Department’s website at http://www.agriculture.gov.ie, from your local AES Office or from the 

Organic Unit at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co 

Wexford. 

Can you put part of your holding into Forestry? 

Yes. There are now two forestry options available to REPS farmers, the Afforestation Scheme and 

the new Forest Environment Protection Scheme (FEPS). 

● The Afforestation Scheme continues to provide a planting grant and a 20-year premium 

for new forestry. The land under forestry will no longer attract a REPS payment. 

● Land under FEPS will no longer attract a REPS payment but instead the landowner will 

receive an equivalent FEPS premium payment in addition to an annual afforestation 

premium. An afforestation grant is also available to meet the costs of planting. 

What are the terms and conditions of FEPS? 

FEPS premium is payable for 5 years and the afforestation premium for 20 years. A minimum 

area of 8 hectares must be planted. An application for an approval to participate in FEPS must 

be made by a qualified forester registered with DAFF. Full details of the Scheme are available 

from the Forest Service at 1890 200223 or at 

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/forestry/pages/forms_downloads/FEPS_scheme

How might planting affect your REPS plan? 

You should notify your REPS planner and your local AES office before planting. Your REPS plan 

must be amended before your next REPS anniversary to reflect the change in land use. 

How is FEPS different from the Afforestation Scheme? 

FEPS is available only to farmers in REPS. 

FEPS puts greater emphasis on biodiversity and growing broadleaves. 

Farmers must undertake additional environmental measures in FEPS. 

FAQs 

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REPS: THE ELEVEN BASIC MEASURES IN YOUR PLAN 

MEASURE 1 

NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PLAN 

This measure helps farmers to use nutrients in an environmentally friendly way. The plan will 

set out all the sources of nutrient available, and needed, on the farm. It will set limits on the 

application rates for chemical fertilisers, organic fertilisers and other wastes. These limits must 

be fully in place on the farm from the start of the REPS contract. 

The objective of this measure is to protect the quality of our waters by avoiding pollution from 

agriculture by: 

● Efficient use of chemical fertilisers 

● Proper storage of farmyard manures and slurry 

● Using farmyard manures and slurry at the most suitable times 

These are the limits for chemical and organic fertilisers: 

● Grassland farmers applying less than 170 kgs of organic nitrogen (N) may only apply 

chemical nitrogen on a one-to-one basis. This means in practice that you can apply up to 

1 kg of chemical N for every 1kg of organic N. 

● Grassland farmers applying more than 170 kgs of organic N must have an annual Nitrates 

derogation. These farmers may apply chemical nitrogen according to their Nitrates 

Fertilisation plan. 

● Tillage farmers may either 

✍ Apply 70% of the recommended N application rates or 

✍ Apply the recommended crop requirement N application rates and also establish a 

LINNET area on 6% of their arable area, up to a maximum area of 2.4 ha. 

You must keep all animal housing, feed storage and waste storage facilities in a leak-proof and 

structurally sound condition. All necessary animal housing and waste storage facilities to meet 

REPS requirements must be in place before the first winter after you join REPS. All necessary 

fodder storage facilities to meet REPS requirements must be in place before the start of the first 

silage season. You must not have more animals than your Plan allows. 

From the start of your plan you must: 

● Have adequate collection and storage facilities for dairy washings, silage effluent and 

soiled water. 

● Manage the disposal or spreading of slurries and effluents in accordance with your REPS 

Plan and this Farmer Handbook. 

● You can only store farmyard manure on land between January 16th and October 31st in 

the same year.

Water body/Feature Buffer zone 

The extraction point of any water supply source providing 100m 3 or more of water per 

day, or serving 500 or more people 



The extraction point of any other water supply for human consumption 

Lake shoreline 

Exposed cavernous or karstified limestone features (such as swallow holes and collapse 

features) 

Any surface watercourse where the slope towards the watercourse exceeds 10% 

Any other watercourse 

Unless you have facilities to collect the effluent, do not store baled silage more than 2 bales 

high. Do not share animal housing or waste storage facilities or silage facilities with another 

farmer without consulting your planner. Outside of farmyards, do not store or open baled silage 

within 20 metres of watercourses and water bodies or within 50 metres of wells. 

LANDSPREADING PRECAUTIONS 

Buffer Zones Applicable When FYM Is Stored In A Field 

Any open drain or where the area of land adjacent to the watercourse is a narrow 

parcel of land less than 50 metres wide and not more than 1 hectare in area 

250 metres 

250 metres 

50 metres 

20 metres 

50 metres 

10 metres 

10 metres 

10 metres 

Landspreading of animal manures should be carried out as early as practicable in the growing 

season so that the crops can use up the nutrients. This cuts down the risk of pollution. Animal 

manures should normally be recycled to land for first or second-cut silage in non-tillage farms. 

General precautions 

Check the weather forecast before spreading. Do not apply manures or fertilisers if heavy rain 

is forecast in the next 48 hours. 

Apply fertilisers at times that coincide with the growth pattern of the different crops. 

Never spread on: 

● Wet or waterlogged soils, 

● Frozen or snow covered soils, 

● Land sloping steeply towards watercourses, 

● Exposed bedrock. 

Spreading machinery must be in good condition and correctly calibrated so that you get the 

right application rates. 

There must be no spreading within 1.5 metres of any field boundary or on bird nesting sites 

during the breeding season. 

Do not landspread blood. 

Precautions for animal manures 

Avoid contaminating surface waters and wells by leaving a buffer strip between these resources 

and the application area as follows: 

MEASURE 1 

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10 

Water body/Feature Buffer zone 





The extraction point of any other water supply for human consumption and all wells. 

Lake shoreline 

Exposed cavernous or karstified limestone features (such as swallow holes and collapse 

features) 

Any surface watercourse where the slope towards the watercourse exceeds 10% 

Any other watercourse 

Any open drain or where the area of land adjacent to the watercourse is a narrow 

parcel of land less than 50 metres wide and not more than 1 hectare in area 

School grounds, public building or amenity areas 

Buffer Zones For Spreading Organic Fertilisers 

200 metres 

100 metres 

25 metres 

20 metres 

15 metres 

10 metres 

5 metres 

3 metres 

50 metres 

Slurry must only be applied with low trajectory spreaders or band spreaders or by injection 

methods. Spray drift must be avoided. 

Precautions for chemical fertilisers 

Never apply fertiliser within 1.5 metres of any watercourse or waterbody. This involves using one 

of the following options: 

● Using a machine that is equipped to restrict spreading to one side only. 

● Moving the machine out an adequate distance from the channel to avoid any over carry. 

● Reduce PTO speed to limit the spreading area. 

● Tilt the machine downwards at the side nearest the watercourse thus shortening the 

distribution pattern. 

Do not apply nitrogenous fertiliser during periods of prolonged drought, especially after mid- 

July.

Chemical fertilisers can be spread only during the periods allowed in the European Communities 

(Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations (SI 378/2006 — the Nitrates 

Regulations). 

Apply chemical phosphorus to peat soils by May 31st. 

Precautions for disposing of spent sheep dip 

Spent sheep dip, whether from permanently sited or mobile facilities, must never be disposed 

of to a soakpit or dumped on sacrifice land. As soon as possible after using it, you should 

landspread it using a slurry tanker, diluted l part dip to 3 parts slurry or water at a rate not 

exceeding 5m 3 /ha (440 gallons per acre) of spent dip, equivalent to 20m 3 /ha (1760 gallons per 

acre) of diluted dip. 

The same precautions that apply to animal manures also apply to sheep dip. 

Farm livestock should be excluded from the disposal area for at least 28 days. Empty dip 

concentrate containers must be rinsed when the dip is being prepared, so that rinsing liquid 

may be added to form part of the diluted dip. Where there is an outlet at the bottom of an 

existing tank, controlled by a stopper, it must be permanently sealed. 

SPREADING TIMES 

Slurry, dungstead manure & farmyard manure 1 

These fertilisers can be applied only during the periods laid down in the Nitrates Regulations for 

the different zones. Landspreading must be done only where weather and land conditions 

permit. 

Soiled water & dairy washings 

Soiled water is normally disposed of by landspreading and this can take place all year round 

where conditions are suitable and there is a minimal risk of pollution. However landspreading 

might have to be put off for long periods if the soil is saturated, or if there is only a thin soil 

overlay with permeable rock below it. 

Silage effluent 

Landspreading silage effluent onto the ground the silage came from is the most practical option, 

because it recycles some of the nutrients removed from the crop. This operation should begin 

as soon as the effluent starts flowing from the pit, especially if there is not enough storage 

capacity to guarantee that there will be no overflow or spillage. 

APPLICATION RATES OF ORGANIC FERTILISERS 

Slurry 

The more water is added to slurry, the less nutrient value it has. But in any case the maximum 

rate for spreading slurry on shallow limestone soils is 25m 3 per hectare (2,200 gallons to an acre) 

and the absolute limit on any kind of soil is 50m 3 per hectare (4,400 gallons per acre). 

Soiled water and dairy washings 

The maximum application rates by tanker are 25m 3 per hectare on shallow limestone soils and 

50m 3 /hectare on other soils. By irrigation the maximum rates are 2.5mm an hour on shallow 

limestone soils and 5mm an hour on other soils. Soiled water applicators/sprinkler systems should 

be moved regularly. 

Where soiled water or dairy washings are mixed with slurry, the slurry application rules apply. 

1 See Appendix G. 

MEASURE 1 

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Silage effluent 

Where silage effluent is available for landspreading it must be diluted 1:1. The rate of 

application is the same as for soiled water and dairy washings. Where silage effluent is mixed 

with slurry, the slurry application rules apply.

MEASURE 2 

GRASSLAND AND SOIL MANAGEMENT PLAN 

Excessive poaching and overgrazing of grassland can result in surface waters becoming silted 

up and too rich in nutrients. Following a specific grassland and soil management plan strikes a 

balance between the farmer’s needs and the needs of the environment. The objective of this 

Measure in REPS is to promote a sustainable grassland and soil management plan that protects 

habitats and minimises poaching, overgrazing and soil erosion. 

You must do the following things and any other works your planner includes in your plan. 

● House animals for the core housing period as specified in your REPS Plan. 

● Outwinter stock only in the fields identified in your plan. 

● Avoid excessive poaching. 

● Avoid both overgrazing and undergrazing. 

● Supplementary feeding points must be at least 30 metres from any watercourse / 

waterbody and 10 metres from field boundaries. 

● Growing vegetation must not be burned between March 1st and August 31st. 

● Noxious weeds and scrub encroachment must be controlled. 

● Where land is being reseeded, you must leave an unploughed and unsprayed margin of 

1.5 metres in place. 

● Maize must not be grown on the same plot for more than 3 consecutive years and must 

have a 5 metre field margin adjacent to watercourses. 

If your grassland area is more than 5 hectares, you must pick one of the following, the 

requirements for which will be included in your REPS plan. 

Environmental Undertakings: 

● Use of Clover in Grassland Swards. Incorporate clover in 25% of your grassland swards by 

the end of the second year of your REPS contract (up to a maximum of 10 hectares). 

● Creation of New Habitat. Turn over at least 0.2 hectares or 4% of your contract area, 

whichever is the greater (up to a maximum area of 1.6 hectares) to new habitat land. 

However if your planner has identified more than 4% of your holding habitat area under 

Measure 4, you will already have met this requirement and you do not have to do 

anything more. 

● Establish Farm Woodland. Establish a minimum of 0.1 hectares or 2% of your contract 

area, whichever is the greater (up to a maximum area of 0.8 hectares) as Farm Woodland, 

consisting of suitable native species from local suppliers if possible. No one woodland 

plot can be greater than 0.5 hectares. 

● Hedgerow Coppicing. Coppice a minimum of 3 metres of hedgerow per hectare annually 

on a maximum of 40 hectares. 

● Hedgerow Laying. Lay a minimum of 2 metres of hedgerow per hectare annually on a 

maximum of 40 hectares. 

● Hedgerow establishment. Establish a minimum of 3 metres of hedgerow per hectare 

annually on a maximum of 40 hectares. 

● Additional Hedgerow/Stone wall Maintenance. Maintain an additional 40 metres of 

hedgerow or 20 meters of stone wall per hectare over and above the basic requirement 

of Measure 5, on a maximum of 40 hectares (or you can mix the two). 

● LINNET. Establish a LINNET crop on 3% of your grassland area, up to a maximum 

requirement of 1.2 hectares. 

MEASURE 2 

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OPTIONS UNDER MEASURE 2 

Option 2A — Traditional Hay Meadows 

The option allows flowers and grasses to produce seed to benefit wildlife. If you choose this 

option you must do the following things and any other works your planner includes in your 

plan. 

● A minimum area of 0.4 hectares or 8% of your holding whichever is the greater must be 

managed as traditional hay meadow, up to a maximum of 1.6 hectares. 

● You can apply chemical fertiliser, slurry and farmyard manure only if you have normally 

done it in recent years. In any case the total applied nutrients (organic and chemical) 

cannot exceed 30kg N, 5kg P and 5kg K per hectare per year. 

● You must maintain traditional grazing practices. Grazing levels must not exceed 1 

livestock unit (85kg N) per hectare on a year-round average. They must never be more 

than 2 livestock units at any time. 

● Meadows for conservation may not be cut until after June 15th. It is better if the hay is 

saved, but silage is acceptable as long as you turn it at least twice before collection so 

that the seeds can disperse. 

● Planned maintenance of existing drains is permitted. 

● Control of noxious weeds with herbicide must be done by spot treatment only. 

● No supplementary feeding can be introduced into fields unless you have normally done 

it in recent years. 

● Dumping, infilling or burning of vegetation are not permitted. 

● Reseeding, reclamation and tree planting are not permitted. 

Option 2B — Species-rich Grassland 

This option involves more sensitive grazing systems with no application of fertilisers. Flowers and 

grasses can produce seed to benefit wildlife. If you choose this option you must do the following 

things and any other works your planner includes in your plan. 

● A minimum area of 0.4 hectares or 8% of your holding whichever is the greater must be 

managed as species-rich grassland, up to a maximum of 1.6 hectares. 

● No organic or chemical fertilisers can be applied. 

● You must maintain traditional grazing practices. Your plan will set out the numbers and 

type of livestock and the seasonal grazing pattern. The average stocking density over 

the grazing period must not exceed 0.8 of a livestock unit (68kg N) per hectare on a yearround 

average and must never be more than 1.6 livestock units per hectare. 

● Grasslands may not be topped until after July 15th. 

● Planned maintenance of existing drains is permitted. 

● Control of noxious weeds with herbicide must be done by spot treatment only. 

● No supplementary feeding can be introduced into fields unless you have normally done 

it in recent years.

● Dumping, infilling or burning of vegetation is not permitted. 

● Reseeding, reclamation and tree planting is not permitted. 

Option 2C — Use of Clover in Grassland Swards 

This option involves incorporating clover into grassland swards so that they need less nitrogen 

from organic or chemical fertilisers. It helps to improve water quality. If you choose this option 

you must do the following things and any other works your planner includes in your plan. 

● Incorporate clover in 25% of the grassland swards of the farm by the end of the second 

year of your REPS contract, up to a maximum of 5 hectares. 

● You must use a minimum of 5kgs of white clover seed to the hectare, and you must keep 

the seed certification labels. 

● This option must not be undertaken on existing habitats. 

Option 2D — Use of Trailing Shoe Technology 

The objective of this option is to improve the recycling of organic nitrogen. All the slurry spread 

on your farm must be spread using trailing shoe technology. For each year of your contract you 

will need to keep contractors’ receipts or other evidence that you have used the trailing shoe. 

Option 2E — Control of Invasive Species. 

This option helps to conserve and maintain habitats by controlling the spread of specific invasive 

species. It will help to maintain the open nature of grassland habitats through the selective 

control of bracken, rushes and some scrubby plants such as gorse, hazel and blackthorn. You can 

apply for it if your holding includes lands identified as grassland habitats under REPS Measure 

4 and if you choose this option you must do the following things and any other works your 

planner includes in your plan. 

● You must select and maintain 0.5ha or 10% of your holding, whichever is the greater, 

subject to a maximum of 2 hectares to be maintained over the period of your REPS plan. 

● You must follow the annualised prescription for the control of the invasive species. 

● Mechanical grubbing out and removal of scrub is not allowed. Neither is the burning of 

growing scrub. 

● If you want to use chemicals to control invasive species, you may use only spot treatment 

or weed lick techniques. 

MEASURE 1 

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MEASURE 3 

PROTECT AND MAINTAIN WATERCOURSES, WATERBODIES AND WELLS 

The objective of this measure is to maintain or improve water quality and to allow natural 

streamside vegetation to develop. This will improve biodiversity by attracting a wide range of 

flora and fauna. You must do the following things and any other works your planner includes 

in your plan. 

● Do not allow cattle to get within 1.5 metres of watercourses. Fences must be at least 1.5 

metres from the top of the bank of the watercourse. You do not have to do this on land 

that is rented or leased, with less than 5 years to run, at the start of your REPS contract. 

● Where it is not feasible to provide a piped water supply for animals, you can give access 

to drinking points. But these points must be fenced so that the animals cannot move 

upstream or downstream or stand in the water. 

● Access for animals and machinery across watercourses must, as far as possible, be by way 

of a bridge or suitable culverts. 

● You must fence lakeshores to keep cattle out of the water, using permanent or temporary 

fencing. However the Regional Inspector may give you a derogation from this in 

exception circumstances, if fencing is not appropriate. 

● By the end of your first year in REPS and for each year after that, all wells must be fenced 

off whatever use the land is being put to. There must be a clear distance of at least 2 

metres between the well and the fence at the nearest point. 

● You must not apply herbicides, pesticides or chemical fertilisers within 1.5 metres of 

watercourses or waterbodies. You may only apply animal manure and other fertilisers in 

accordance with Measure 1. 

Watercourse maintenance 

Your planner will set out a work schedule in your REPS Plan. The method, timing and frequency 

of maintenance work are crucially important to wildlife. Maintenance can range from routine 

cutting of vegetation to regrading channels and removing silt and debris. Do not over-deepen 

channels because they will silt up. Water flows faster in narrow channels. 

● When cleaning a channel, remove weeds from the channel bed and one side only. The 

other bank should be left untouched in that season and, if possible, permanently. 

● In fish-bearing streams, cleaning should be kept to a minimum. Where it has to be done, 

it should be done between mid-May and mid-September to protect fish eggs and small 

salmonids. It is an offence under the Fisheries Acts to disturb the bed and gravel during 

the autumn or winter where fish may spawn or have already spawned. If, for any reason, 

you need to drain any permanently wet channel more than 1 metre wide is required 

during the autumn or winter. You must consult your local Fisheries Board (see www.cfb.ie 

for more information). 

● Never use pesticides and herbicides on watercourses or waterbodies except with the prior 

approval of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. 

MEASURE 3 OPTIONS 

Option 3A — Increase watercourse margin. 

This option will improve water quality by protecting the river margin from poaching. It will 

protect vegetation and allow insect life to flourish creating a food source for fish. . If you choose 

this option you must do the following things and any other works your planner includes in your 

plan.

● Do not allow cattle to get within 2.5 metres of watercourses by the end of your first year 

in REPS or in any year after that. Fences must be at least 2.5 metres from the top of the 

bank of the watercourse. You do not have to do this on land that is rented or leased, with 

less than 5 years to run, at the start of your REPS contract. 

● You must not use pesticides or organic or chemical fertilisers within 2.5 metres of the 

watercourse. 

Option 3B — Exclude all bovine access to watercourses. 

This option will maintain and improve water quality by preventing the watercourse from being 

damaged at drinking points. If you choose this option you must do the following things and 

any other works your planner includes in your plan. 

● Do not allow cattle any access to drinking points on any watercourses on your farm. 

● Provide at least two piped drinking troughs. These troughs should be located in the field 

or fields adjoining the watercourse or watercourses in question. 

Option 3C — Use of Planted Buffer Zones. 

This option will protect water quality by reducing the risk of nutrient loss to watercourses. If you 

choose this option you must do the following things and any other works your planner includes 

in your plan. 

● Plant 1% of your holding – up to a maximum of 2,000 square metres – with buffer strips 

along the watercourses identified in your plan. 

● Plant a buffer strip at least 5 metres wide with willow and or alder or other suitable 

species. The buffer strip should not come any closer than three metres from the top of 

the bank of the watercourse. Plants must be spaced as follows: Willow 1.5m X 1m; Alder 

2m X 1.5m. 

● The site must be stock-proofed by the end of your first year in REPS and all planting must 

be finished by the end of the third year. 

When you and your planner are selecting sites for this option, remember the requirement to 

protect habitats under Measure 4, Natura 2000 sites, NHAs and commonages. 

MEASURE 3 

17


18 

MEASURE 4 

RETAIN WILDLIFE HABITATS 

Wildlife habitats can be anywhere on the farm, but the most important ones are often peripheral 

to areas where normal farming goes on. These areas have mostly not been disturbed by 

drainage, ploughing or re-seeding. Pesticides and fertilisers have not been used heavily on them. 

Even if they have been drained, they still have their wetland characteristics. Some habitats have 

developed naturally during the 10,000 years since the last ice age and are irreplaceable, while 

other habitats have developed as a result of centuries of traditional farming practice and are 

dependent upon the continuation of that management. 

The objective of this measure is to retain habitats and to ensure that farming practices on these 

areas are carried out in a manner beneficial to flora, fauna and conservation generally. You 

must retain all habitats identified on your REPS Plan including 

Grasslands 

● Grassland habitats are described as swards with 

less than 25% of ryegrass, timothy, white clover 

either individually or a combination. 

● Callows 

● Upland 

● Lowland Dry 

● Lowland Wet 

● Turloughs and other seasonally flooded areas 

● Coastal grasslands 

● Sand dunes: foreshore and sea shore 

● Machairs 

Peatlands 

● Raised Bog 

● Cut-over Bog 

● Blanket Bog or Moors 

● Fens 

Freshwater 

● Lakes, ponds and their margins 

● Rivers, streams, watercourses and their margins 

● Marshes and swamps 

Woodlands and groves of trees. 

Scrubland. 

Field boundaries/margins, hedgerows and stone walls (subject to conditions set out in Measure 5) 

Old buildings inhabited by protected species such as barn owls and bats. 

Eskers and disused quarries and such workings that have become habitats. 

Commonages and habitats designated as SPAs, SACs, NHAs. 

On habitats you must not do any of the following things: 

● Afforestation 

● Land improvement works including drainage 

● Ploughing and re-seeding 

● Interference with the free-flow of waters to “swallow holes” in turloughs

● Removal of sand and gravel from foreshore and seashore 

● Commercial turf cutting on unexploited bog. Areas included for payment cannot be 

exploited during the period of the REPS undertakings 

● Burning of growing vegetation on land between March 1st and August 31st 

Your planner will tell you in your plan if there is anything else you should do to retain the special 

qualities of the habitat, on top of what you will find in this Handbook under the other Measures 

(including the agreed conditions for the conservation of designated NHA sites). For example, 

changes in fertiliser usage, stocking levels, protective fencing, grazing restrictions and restrictions 

on the location of supplementary feeding points must be set out in your plan. 


Option 4A — Creation of a New Habitat 

This option will create new habitats on farms that will provide more space for wildlife to flourish. 

New habitats will also allow vegetation of varying heights to develop, which is more suitable for 

a wide range of invertebrates like beetles, butterflies and moths. Suitable areas might be areas 

peripheral to your farming activity that are not already habitats, or areas along existing linear 

features such as a weak hedgerow. 

If you choose this option you must do the following things and any other works your planner 

includes in your plan. These must be followed from the time your plan begins. 

● Maintain a minimum of 0.2 hectares or 4% of your contract area whichever is the greater, 

up to a maximum of 0.8 hectares as land allocated for habitat use. Each individual plot 

must be at least 0.2 hectares and at least five metres wide. 

● These plot must be fenced to exclude all livestock. 

● The plots cannot be farmed and you must claim them as “other area” in your annual 

Single Payment Scheme application. 

● If mechanical control fails, you are allowed to control noxious weeds by spot treatment 

with herbicides. 

● Topping can take place after August 8th in any year, but the toppings must not be 

removed. 

Option 4B - Broadleaved Tree Planting 

This option will promote the planting of broadleaved trees, which will enhance the landscape 

and make a valuable habitat for wildlife. 


includes in your plan. 

● If you choose this as a Category 1 Option, you 

will be asked to plant at least 2 broadleaved 

trees per hectare of your contract area up to 30 

hectares. If you choose it as a Category 2 

Option, you will be asked to plant at least one 

broadleaved tree per hectare up to 30 hectares. 

Your REPS plan will spell out exactly what you 

have to do. 

● Planting should normally be done between 

October and April, when the trees are dormant, 

but not when the ground is frozen or 

waterlogged. 

● At least half of the planting must be completed 

by the end of year 2 of your contract and all 

MEASURE 4 

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20 

planting must be done by the end of your fourth year. 

● At least 25% of the trees must be planted on sites other than field boundaries. Suitable 

sites could include open fields, field corners and areas close to the farmyard. 

● Once the sites have been chosen, you should select the most suitable tree species from 

Appendix B, taking account of the following considerations: 

● In order to conserve Ireland’s genetic biodiversity, you should choose species that come 

from suitable sources of native seed. 

● You should give priority to using native tree species, and choose trees that grow well in 

the area or on similar sites. 

● You should take account of the physical conditions of each site such as soil type, drainage, 

exposure etc. 

● At a minimum, the planting material should be bare rooted transplants roughly 1,000 to 

1,200 mm in height (strong whips) with a good root system. 

● All stock must be completely excluded from the new plantings. Trees should be protected 

from browsing animals. 

● It is essential to control growth of grass and weeds around the young trees during the first 

four years. Unchecked vegetation growth will result in poor tree establishment. Grass 

and weeds can be controlled by treading/cutting or by the use of suitable herbicides or 

mulches. Herbicides must only be used in accordance with the conditions of Measure 6. 

● If any trees fail you must replace them. 

Option 4C – Nature Corridors 

This option will protect and enhance our extensive range of field margins, which are an 

important source of plant diversity. Nature corridors act as a resource to conserve wildlife. 

Wildlife use them to get to their habitats and for protection. 



● Maintain grass field margins a minimum of 2.5 metres wide from all field boundaries. 

● Do not use any herbicides within this margin unless your plan specifically says that you can. 

You must not use any pesticides or organic or chemical fertiliser at all. 

● You are not allowed to re-seed the margin. 

Option 4D – Farm Woodland Establishment 

This option will create small woodlands and copses on farms to increase biodiversity and enhance 

the visual landscape. 



● Establish a minimum of 1,000 sq metres of woodland, or 2% of your holding whichever 

is the greater up to a maximum of 4,000 sq. metres. 

● Use suitable species from Appendix B. 

● The minimum woodland plot size under this Option is 0.1 ha. 

● Trees should be planted at a minimum stocking density of 3,300 plant/ha (2.0m x 1.5m). 

● You must not establish the woodland on an archaeological site or on an existing or a 

newly created habitat. 

● The native farm woodland must be planted by the end of the second year of the REPS 

contract. 

● The plot(s) must be fenced to keep out all livestock. 

● Areas of woodland will be considered established when at least 80% of the original 

specified stocking levels, spread evenly over the site, is above competing vegetation and 

is free growing. 

● Not more than 50% of the planting in each plot should be of a single species and not 

more than 20% can consist of understorey species.

MEASURE 5 

MAINTAIN FARM AND FIELD BOUNDARIES 

Our landscape gets its distinctive character and field pattern from linear boundaries that include 

stone walls, earth or stone banks, hedgerows and mature trees. These are important habitats 

for flora and fauna. The also make up linear corridors which let wildlife move between habitats 

such as woodlands, wetlands etc. The objective of this Measure is to conserve, maintain and 

enhance boundary fences, roadside fences, stone walls and hedgerows in the interest of stock 

control, animal health, wildlife and the scenic appearance of the area. 


● Retain all field boundary features on all of the land you farm. 

● Make all your external boundary and roadside fences stock-proof by the end of your first 

year in REPS, and maintain them after that. 

● Entrances from public roads must have hung gates by the end of your first year and you 

must maintain them after that. 

● Retain hedgerows and stone walls on all of the land you farm. 

● Maintain hedgerows and stone walls in accordance with your plan. 

● Stonewalls should be rebuilt in the type and style traditional to the area. 

● Do not carry out hedgerow maintenance during the bird nesting season (March 1st – 

August 31st). Ideally it should be done in late winter. 

● Do not crush hedgerows using heavy machinery. 

● FETAC certified contractors are recommended for hedgerow maintenance. 

● Do not apply pesticides and fertilisers within 1.5 metres of a boundary. 

● Make sure that you keep a minimum uncultivated margin as set out in Measure 9. 

● Retain whatever other features are specified in the REPS Plan. 

● Do not attach fencing wire to hedgerow trees and shrubs. 


These options will enhance and increase the length of hedgerows and stone walls in the interest 

of biodiversity, stock control and the scenic appearance of the farm. You may either choose one 

from Options 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D, or a pro rata mix of them. 

Option 5A – Hedgerow Coppicing 

Rejuvenate hedgerows by coppicing as set out in your plan. Half of this work must be completed 

by the end of the second year of your REPS plan, with the remainder completed by the end of 

your fourth year. You must coppice at least 3 metres to the hectare, up to a maximum of 60 

metres a year. For example, a farmer with 20 ha must coppice 60 metres x 5 years = 300 metres 

as part of his REPS plan. 

Option 5B – Hedgerow Laying 

Rejuvenate hedgerows by laying as set out in your 

plan. Half of this work must be completed by the 

end of your second year with the remainder 

completed by the end of your fourth year. You must 

lay at least 2 metres to the hectare, up to a 

maximum of 40 metres a year. For example, a 

farmer with 20 ha must lay 40 metres x 5 years = 200 

metres as part of his REPS plan. Appendix B gives 

further details of the requirements for laying and 

MEASURE 5 

21


22 

coppicing. 

Option 5C – New Hedgerow Planting 

Plant new hedgerows in locations as set out in your plan. Half of the work must be done by the 

end of the second year of your REPS plan with the remainder completed by the end of your 

fourth year. You must plant at least 3 metres/ha to a maximum of 60 metres a year. For example 

a farmer with 20 ha must plant 60 metres x 5 years = 300 metres as part of his REPS plan. 

Appendix B gives further details of the requirements for establishing a new hedgerow. 

Option 5D – Additional Stone wall Maintenance 

Maintain an additional 3 metres of stone wall per hectare each year, over and above the basic 

requirement of Measure 5, up to a maximum of 60 metres. For example a farmer with stone wall 

boundaries must maintain an additional 3 metres of stone wall per hectare on the first 20 

hectares of his/her holding each year — i.e. 60 metres x 5 years = 300 metres as part of his REPS 

plan.

MEASURE 6 

RESTRICTED USE OF PESTICIDES AND FERTILISERS 

This measure will protect water resources and habitats for flora and fauna, by restricting the 

use of pesticides and fertilisers near field boundaries, ponds, streams and wells. 


● Apply fertilisers and manures in accordance with Measure 1. 

● Do not apply pesticides— 

✍ within 1.5 metres of field boundaries and hedgerows on both grassland and tillage. 

✍ within 1.5 metres of watercourses and waterbodies on grassland. 

✍ within 3 metres of watercourses and waterbodies on tillage area. 

✍ within 2 metres of wells and boreholes on both grassland and tillage. 

● Adopt spraying techniques to prevent drift. 

● Spot-treat noxious weeds with a suitable herbicide if it is specified in your plan. 

● Selective herbicides may be used to control weeds when establishing hedgerows or 

planting trees and shrubs if it is specified in your plan. 

● Precautions in the use of Pesticides: 

✍ Pesticides must be applied as recommended. Mixing must always be carefully done 

away from wells and watercourses. Account must be taken of wind speed and 

direction at the time of spraying, to ensure that surface waters are not contaminated. 

✍ Field margins are important wildlife habitats and they must not be contaminated 

either by direct application or from spray drifting. 

✍ Take care that only the amount of chemical required is mixed. If there is some left 

over, it must be disposed of as directed by the manufacturer. 

✍ Chemical containers must be washed in accordance with the manufacturers’ 

recommendations and disposed of in accordance with the requirements of the Local 

Authority Waste Management Plan. 

MEASURE 6 

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24 

MEASURE 7 

ESTABLISH BIODIVERSITY BUFFER STRIPS SURROUNDING FEATURES OF HISTORICAL & 

ARCHAEOLOGICAL INTEREST 

The landscape of Ireland contains an important record of Irish history — a rich heritage of 

historical and archaeological monuments. Mechanised farming practices and changes in land use 

are threats to this ancient landscape. This measure will provide biodiversity buffer strips around 

features of historical and archaeological interest which will contribute to the conservation of 

these sites. All sites recorded on the Register of Monuments & Places even where not visable 

must be protected by buffer strips. 


● Retain all monuments and archaeological features identified in your plan. 

● Do not damage monuments by using heavy machinery in their vicinity. 

● In grassland, establish a 20 metre buffer strip around the feature. 

● In tillage fields, establish an uncultivated and unsown margin of 5 metres around the 

feature. 

● Activities such as ground disturbance, excavation, building, afforestation or storage are 

not permitted within the buffer strip. 

● If the feature requires protection, light temporary fencing or marker posts can be used. 

● Continuous movement of animals over earthwork features or the overwintering of 

animals must not be allowed in these areas. 

● Materials of any type cannot be burned or dumped on such sites. 


Option 7A – Increased Buffer Margins for Archaeological and Historical Features 

This option will further enhance biodiversity surrounding these features and increase the 

protection of these features. You must maintain a minimum biodiversity buffer strip of 30 metres 

in grassland and 7.5 metres in tillage land from all sites and features identified in your plan. The 

conditions of Measure 7 apply on the increased biodiversity buffer strip.

MEASURE 8 

MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE VISUAL APPEARANCE OF FARM AND FARMYARD 

This measure will promote more awareness of the need to harmonise the visual impact of the 

farmyard and the farm with the surrounding countryside. This includes retaining traditional 

farm buildings, maintaining existing farm buildings and taking away unsightly materials. 


● Keep your farm and farmyards neat and tidy at all times. 

● By the end of your first year in REPS, take away unsightly materials such as – 

✍ packaging and containers 

✍ plastic sheeting and bags 

✍ rubber tyres 

✍ disused machinery and cars 

✍ worn-out and spent materials used in the servicing of agricultural machinery such as 

oils, solvents etc. 

● Packaging, plastic or pallets which are reusable should be stored in a tidy fashion. 

● You must not burn plastics. If you can use recycling facilities for certain plastics you should 

do so — for example the scheme established by The Irish Farm Films Producers Group 

(IFFPG), Waverly Business Park, Old Naas Road, Dublin 12 (Tel (01) 4089966 or Lo Call 1890 

300 444). 

● Containers of agricultural chemicals and other persistent toxic or harmful substances must 

not be put to an alternative use and must be disposed of in accordance with the 

manufacturers instructions where given. 

● The disposal of waste materials must be carried out in accordance with the Local Authority 

Waste Management Plan. 

● Fallen animals must be disposed of in accordance with the Veterinary Regulations. 

● Retain any traditional stone features identified in your REPS Plan. 

● Maintain any traditional features on your farm in accordance with your REPS Plan. 

● Take care to retain access for owls and bats if there are habitats for them already. You 

will find information on the construction of bird boxes in Appendix C. 

● Use appropriate colours for roofs and walls. Existing and new buildings can be integrated 

into the countryside both by the use of graded earth banks and by the planting of wellchosen 

surrounding/sheltering trees. In general deciduous trees and shrubs are most 

appropriate. Very tall narrow trees (eg Lombardy poplar, Leyland Cypresses etc) must be 

avoided as they draw attention to buildings. Some climbing plants can soften the outlines 

of large buildings but they must not interfere with ventilation or drainage. 


Option 8A – Traditional Irish Orchards 

This option will create and maintain orchards with varieties that are traditional to Ireland, to 

ensure that this unique genetic resource survives. 



● Before the end of your second year in REPS, you must plant at least 500 sq metres with 

the specified apple varieties. 

● The trees must be grown as standard or half-standards on vigorous rootstocks and you 

must plant them at least 6–7 metres apart. You must plan at least 12 trees. Trees on 

dwarfing rootstocks do not qualify. 

● You must plant at least three approved varieties, and none of them can make up more 

than half of the trees. 

MEASURE 8 

25


26 

● You must stockproof the orchard boundary for the duration of your REPS contract 

● Planting of fruit trees before the end of the second year of the plan. 

● Only varieties included in the Native Irish collection may be planted. You can get them 

and also get more information from the Irish Seed Savers’ Association, Scarriff, Co Clare 

(www.irishseedsavers.ie). 

Note: If you choose this as an option, you may not take it on as a supplementary measure as well. 

Option 8B – Install bird and bat boxes 

This option will improve biodiversity around the farmyard by installing suitable bird and or bat 

boxes. 



● Install at least 8 Nestboxes (bird, bat or mix) before the end of the first year of your REPS 

plan. (An owl Nestbox is equivalent to 4 bird/ bat boxes.) 

● The type of Nestbox selected ( see Appendix C) and its location should be targeted at the 

presence of priority species. Priority species include the Barn Owl, the Spotted Flycatcher, 

the Tree and House Sparrow, the Starling, the Stock Dove, the Kestrel and the Swallow. 

Bat Boxes 

Bat boxes provide alternative roosts for bats. Various models are available to attract a particular 

range of species. Bats may roost in a variety of sites including trees, buildings and caves. Bat 

boxes should be attached to walls, trees or other suitable structures. You can get detailed advice 

from the National Parks and Wildlife Service or from the Bat Conservation Group, Deerpark 

House, Maio, Tierworker, Co Meath. 

Barn Owls 

This element is only available to farmers with suitable habitat areas. 

● Get advice from your planner when you are deciding where to put boxes for Barn Owls. 

● Nestboxes located outdoors should be close to suitable habitat such as rough grassland. 

The box should face open ground and the owl should be able to see the entrance. 

● Do not use second-generation rodenticides. Instead use products that are less toxic to 

rodent predators. Whatever rodenticide you do use you must keep the receipts for it 

until the end of your REPS contract.

MEASURE 9 

TILLAGE CROP PRODUCTION 

This measure will encourage tillage farming practices and 

production methods that reflect the increasing concern for 

landscape conservation, the protection of the soil and 

related environmental issues. 

You can choose either of two ways to apply this Measure to 

your farm. One is to limit your nitrogen input to 70% of 

the recommended level. Alternatively, you can apply the 

full recommended amount of nitrogen if you set aside 6% 

of your arable area for land use under LINNET management (up to a maximum of 2.4 hectares). 

If you choose the second method, putting 6% of your arable area aside for LINNET, you cannot 

claim payment for the LINNET Supplementary Measure. 


● Retain an uncultivated and unsown margin of at least l.5 metres between the crop and 

the edge of any permanent field boundary. 

● Where any field boundary includes a watercourse, the width of the uncultivated margin 

must be 3 metres from the top of the watercourse bank. 

● Burning straw and stubble is not permitted. 

● If you are growing biomass crops, you must also follow these additional rules: 

✍ The maximum area allowed is 10 hectares or 25% of the REPS contract area, whichever 

is the greater. 

✍ Biomass crops must not be grown on habitats identified under Measure 4, or on 

Natura 2000 sites or designated NHAs. 

✍ The uncultivated margin must extend to 4 metres from all field boundaries. 


Option 9A – Green Cover Establishment 

This option will provide a crop cover that will use up nutrients that are left in the soil after a 

cereal or oilseed crop is harvested. Green cover is defined as a crop established after a cereal or 

oilseed rape crop is harvested, and maintained until the following January 15th without 

cultivation. The usual crops used in this situation are brassicas. Grass crops are not permitted. 

If you choose this as a Category One Option, you must maintain at least 14 hectares green cover. 

Seven hectares is enough if you choose it as a Category Two Option. 



● Straw cannot be burned from the harvested cereal or oilseed rape crop. 

● Without ploughing, a cover crop must be established to ensure a green cover over the 

winter. This must be established by 1st November. 

● Undersown crops or natural regeneration are not eligible under this option. 

● Slurry or fertiliser must not be applied to the stubble after harvesting the cereal or oilseed 

rape crop. 

● Between establishing the cover crop and the following January 15th 

● You may graze the cover crop lightly (less than 0.5 LU per hectare) 

● Supplementary concentrate feeding sites must be rotated regularly. 

● You must not apply inorganic fertiliser, organic fertiliser or lime. Crops do not need these 

in winter. 

● You must not apply pesticides. 

MEASURE 9 

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28 

Option 9B – Environmental Management of Setaside 

This option will lead to setaside land being managed in a way that will provide food and safe 

nesting habitat for ground nesting birds throughout the nesting season. You may avail of this 

option on conacre land. If you choose this option you must do the following things and any 

other works your planner includes in your plan. 

● Maintain at least 0.3 hectares or 10% of your REPS contract area as setaside, whichever 

is the greater, up to a maximum of 4 hectares. 

● Have at least 7 hectares of arable land in tillage crops or setaside. 

● On the setaside area a cover crop can be established by natural regeneration or sowing. 

When sowing grass we suggest that you use a grass mix containing tussock forming 

grasses like fescues and bent grasses, to provide a varied sward structure. 

● Mowing should be delayed as late as possible to protect late nesting birds. 

● You must leave 25% of the setaside area unmown. This unmown area should be targeted 

at boundaries of the setaside particularly along thin hedgerows. This will allow the 

hedgerow to broaden out. In non-rotational setaside, the unmown area should be 

rotated around the setaside area if it is not targeted at the margins. Mowing of setaside 

must be carried out using the centre-out method to give nesting birds a chance to escape 

to alternative cover. Mowings must not be removed from the site. 

● The total setaside area may be grazed with livestock between September 1st and January 

14th in accordance with your plan. This will give the sward a more varied structure and 

as a result there will be more invertebrates. 

● Pesticides (including herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, slug pellets and growth 

regulators) must not be applied to the setaside. 

● If you cannot control persistent weeds such as dock, thistle and ragwort mechanically, 

you may use spot treatment. 

● Inorganic and organic fertiliser must not be applied to the total setaside area. 

● Setaside areas may not be used for storage of big-baled silage. 

Option 9C – Increased Arable Margins 

This option will create different types of conservation crop 

margins. Plants and animals that are associated with arable 

farms can then live and feed on a working farm. If you 

choose this as a Category One Option, you must maintain at 

least 14 hectares of crop tillage land. Seven hectares is 

enough if you choose it as a Category Two Option. 

If you choose this option you must do the following things 

and any other works your planner includes in your plan. 

● With the exception of watercourse margins, which will extend to 4.5 metres, all other 

margins must be at least 3 metres wide. 

● The margins should be positioned alongside those field boundaries, which will provide 

maximum benefit for wildlife, for example next to woodland. 

● Field margins must be present on the identified fields in the REPS plan for the five years 

of the contract. 

● One of three methods of establishing field margins must be followed: 

✍ Uncultivated/unsown 3-metre margin. 

✍ Rough grass 3 metre field margins may be established by sowing a recommended mix 

of grass seed at the rate of 20 kg per hectare, either in the autumn or spring. Suitable 

grass species are given below. 

✍ With the exception of watercourse margins, 3-metre conservation field margins may

e established by sowing any cereal at 50% of the recommended sowing rate. 

● With the exception of the cereal sown margins, the field margin must be mown at least 

three times in the first year to a height no lower than five centimetres. This will promote 

tillering of the grass and aid establishment. 

● Cereal sown margins may be harvested with the crop. 

● Mowing must only be carried out during the period July 15th to September 30th to 

minimise the disturbance of ground nesting birds, such as skylarks and meadow pipits 

rearing second broods. 

● Regular annual cutting of the rough grass field margin is not permitted. This destroys the 

tussocks and the build up of leaf litter essential for the survival of over wintering insects. 

● Pesticides (including herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, slug pellets and growth 

regulators) must not be applied to field margins. Spray drift from adjacent fields not only 

destroys this habitat, but also creates conditions for the growth of annual weeds. 

● Rough grass field margins must not be grazed. 

● After establishment no ploughing, cultivation, re-seeding, rolling or chain harrowing of 

rough grass field margins is permitted. 

● Inorganic and organic fertiliser must not be applied to all field margins. 

● Supplementary feeding sites, drinking troughs and storage areas for big baled silage must 

not be sited on these margins. 

● List of suitable grass species: 

Cocksfoot Sheep’s fescue 

Crested dog’s tail Common bent 

Sweet vernal Creeping bent 

Meadow foxtail Rough stalked meadow grass 

Red fescue Smooth stalked meadow grass 

Creeping fescue Yorkshire fog 

Option 9D – Low-Input Spring Cereals 

This option will encourage the production of low-input spring cereals in grassland-dominated 

farms allowing the stubble regenerate over the winter after harvest. It is available only to 

grassland farmers who have no existing tillage enterprise. The plot must be identified and the 

location can be changed only after year three of the REPS contract. 



● Each year of your REPS contract, conventionally sow and harvest a spring cereal crop on 

10% of your holding up to a maximum of 2 hectares. 

● You cannot use more than 70% of the recommended nitrogen fertilisation rates. 

● The crop cannot be undersown with grass and clover, nor can it be harvested as whole 

crop silage. 

Option 9E Minimum Tillage 

This option will encourage the use of minimum-tillage practices, improving soil structure and 

increasing the organic matter in the soil. For REPS purposes, minimum tillage means the noninversion 

of the soil for the purpose of crop establishment. If you choose this as a Category One 

Option, you must establish at least 14 hectares of cereals using minimum-tillage practices. Seven 

hectares is enough if you choose it as a Category Two Option. If you choose this option the 

specific plots will be identified in your plan. 

MEASURE 1 

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30 

MEASURE 10 

TRAINING IN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY FARMING PRACTICES 

This Measure will provide REPS farmers with information on the environmental benefits arising 

from REPS, clarification of all the relevant requirements included in the agri-environment 

specifications and the knowledge and skills necessary to follow their REPS Plan successfully. 

These are the Requirements under this Measure: 

● You must attend one training module. 

● You will not get your third-year payment until you have completed a training module. 

● If you have not completed a REPS 2 or 3 training course, you must attend a REPS 4 10-hour 

Appreciation Module. This appreciation module must be completed before the end of 

year 2. All other participants must attend an approved Training Module (of their choice) 

before the end of year 2. 

● Participants may attend a second approved Training Module if they wish. To get paid for 

attending two Training Modules, one Module must be completed in year 1 and one in year 2. 

The Appreciation Module provides participants with: 

● Information on the environmental benefits arising from and adhering to the various REPS 

measures. 

● Their responsibilities in REPS and consequences of non-compliance with the Scheme Terms 

and Conditions, their approved REPS plan and requirements set out in the REPS 4 Farmers 

Handbook. 

● Clarification of all the relevant requirements included in the Scheme Terms and 

Conditions, the agri-environmental plan and the Requirements set out in the REPS 4 

Farmers Handbook, including eligibility criteria for new applications. 

● The knowledge and skills necessary to implement their REPS plans. 

● Requirements that the Department places on planners in drawing up REPS 

applications/amended plans. 

● Responsibilities of farmers with regard to Cross Compliance, national legislation and local 

byelaws. 

Training Modules will focus on specific issues such as: 

● Field Boundary Management and Construction 

● Cultural and Heritage Landscape 

● Water on the Farm 

● High Nature Value Farmland 

● Tillage 

● Nutrient and Soil Management 

● Animal Welfare including Transport 

● Make sure your planner provides information relating to dates, times and venues of 

approved courses.

MEASURE 11 

MAINTAINING FARM AND ENVIRONMENTAL RECORDS 

Under this Measure, farmers will record management information and work done throughout 

each year of their REPS plan. They will use the prescribed REPS record sheets. 

Requirements for the Maintenance of Farm and Environmental Records include: 

● Keep your REPS Records sheets up to date on a monthly basis. 

● Sign and date them every year. 

● Retain them for the full period of your REPS contract as the Department may wish to 

examine them. 

● Keep original invoices and other documents that are relevant to your REPS agreement. 

● Keep records of purchases of concentrates and other feeds brought onto the farm. 

● Keep your Bovine Herd Register, Animal Remedies Record and Flock register (Sheep) and 

supporting documentation. 

● Record the import or export particulars of all chemical and organic fertilisers brought on 

to the farm. 

● Keep details of all lime spread on the farm. 

● Keep records of winter housing dates and livestock housed. 

● Keep records of any other environmentally sensitive work over and above the scheme 

requirements carried out. 

MEASURE 11 

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NATURA 2000, NATURAL HERITAGE AREAS 

AND COMMONAGE SITES (FORMERLY MEASURE A) 

These are sites with important ecological value. They must be maintained and conserved. Active 

farming on these sites at environmentally sustainable levels is necessary for their conservation. 

These sites include: 

● Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) designated by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage 

and Local Government. 

● Farmland based Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) designated under Council Directive 

92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats. 

● Farmland based Special Protection Areas (SPAs) designated under Council Directive 

79/409/EEC on the protection of Wild Birds. 

● Commonage/Grazing Rights. 

● Areas designated under the Water Framework Directive. 

Your planner will set out the management requirements according to the relevant commonage 

framework plan, NPWS Site Management Plan or agreed farming prescription. Your plan will 

include an environmental report prepared by an environmentalist. The specific site requirements 

may include: 

● Adjustment to stock numbers or grazing regime. 

● Remedial works e.g. fencing or rubbish removal. 

● Restricted use of pesticides and fertilisers. 

● Any additional requirements set out in your REPS Plan. 

You must get approval from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if you intend to 

do any of the following: 

● Increase stock levels. 

● Introduce stock to areas that were not grazed before. 

● Change your stock type during the course of the plan. 

Further information can be found at Appendix D.

SUPPLEMENTARY MEASURE 1 

CONSERVATION OF WILD BIRD HABITATS 

This supplementary measure is to improve the habitat structure for wild birds and provide them 

with more breeding sites. At present it is available for the corncrake only. To qualify, you must 

have land within a corncrake habitat area and participate in BirdWatch Ireland (BWI) 

management plan for corncrake sites. 

The Management Requirements for Corncrake Habitats identified in your plan include: 

● The farming prescription set out at Appendix D. 

● The yearly mowing rotation for these plots as set out in your plan. 

You will need to get a certificate of compliance from BWI every year. 


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TRADITIONAL IRISH ORCHARDS 

This measure will lead to the planting and maintenance of apple orchards with specific varieties 

of apples that are traditional to Ireland. Consult your planner for details. 

If you choose this supplementary measure you must do the following things and any other works 

your planner includes in your plan. 

● Before the end of your second year in REPS, you must plant at least 500 sq metres with 

the specified apple varieties. 

● The trees must be grown as standard or half-standards on vigorous rootstocks and you 

must plant them at least 6–7 metres apart. You must plan at least 12 trees. Trees on 

dwarfing rootstocks do not qualify. 

● You must plant at least three approved varieties, and none of them can make up more 

than half of the trees. 

● You must stockproof the orchard boundary for the duration of your REPS contract. 

You cannot include Traditional Orchards in your REPS plan as both a biodiversity option and a 

supplementary measure. 

After-planting care 

● The orchard may be mown or grazed with sheep (as long as the trees are protected by a 

tree guard). You must not mow before July, and you must never let cattle graze it. 

● Keep an area 1 metre in diameter free of vegetation area around newly-planted trees. 

● Inorganic/organic fertiliser or lime may not be broadcast throughout the orchard. If the 

soil is poor, however, you may use well rotted farmyard manure and a small quantity of 

chemical fertiliser and lime (taking care not to apply it directly around the base of the 

tree) each year. 

● You must not use insecticides or fungicides unless there is a risk to the health of the tree. 

Herbicides may be used to control noxious weeds by means of a weed wiper or spot 

sprayer if mechanical means do not work. 

● You must replace any trees that fail.


CONSERVATION OF ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES (RARE BREEDS) 

This measure encourages farmers to rear animals of specific breeds, traditional to Ireland, that 

are in danger of being lost to farming. The eligible breeds are as follows: 

Cattle Equines Sheep 

Kerry Connemara Pony Galway 

Dexter Irish Draught 

Irish Maol (or Moiled) Kerry Bog Pony 



● Be an active member (breeder) of an approved breeding society. 

● Keep up-to-date monthly REPS record sheets of all animals on your holding that are 

registered with the breed society. 

● Register all purebred female progeny with the breed society. 

● Register and/or birth notify all purebred male progeny with the breed society. 

● Send documentary evidence of registration to the Department. 

● Remain active as a breeder of the native breed for the duration of your REPS plan. 

● On your REPS 1C form (your annual application for payment), remember to fill in the 

number of eligible Livestock Units in the SM3 box. 

For more details, see Appendix F. 


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RIPARIAN ZONES 

This Measure protects stretches of designated rivers by creating linear buffer zones and a suitable 

habitat for the flora and fauna that sustain food webs important in the river ecosystem. The 

designated rivers are those identified to contain either salmonid, freshwater crayfish or pearl 

mussel species. 



● For salmonid and freshwater crayfish rivers, create a zone of between 10 and 30 metres. 

● For pearl mussels, create a zone of between 20 and 50 metres. 

● Allow vegetation to develop naturally within the zone 

● Do not apply fertiliser or pesticide except with the permission of the National Parks and 

Wildlife Service or the Central Fisheries Board. 

● Control vegetation such as alder and scrub so that it does not close over the channel. 

● Up to 50% of the riparian zone should be planted with threes. The Department 

recommends oak, beech, willow, birch, ash, whitethorn, blackthorn or elder. You must not 

plant conifers. 

● The maximum area for payment of 4 hectares must be permanently fenced by the end of 

your first year in REPS to keep out livestock. Electric fencing will not do. There must be 

entry points with hung gates so that machines can be brought in for maintenance work. 

There must be stiles for access to fishing. 

● Riparian zones cannot be established on commonage, scrub or woodland. 

DESIGNATED WATERS 

Designated rivers are those rivers identified by NPWS as Special Areas of Conservation, but other 

important rivers and their main tributaries may be designated where the local Regional Fisheries 

Board confirms that the river (excluding lakes and canals) is important for fresh water breeding. 

You will need to send in a copy of the confirmation from the Fisheries Board with your REPS 

application. 

ACCESS FOR REGIONAL FISHERIES BOARDS 

You must give access to employees of the Regional Fisheries Boards to inspect the zones and do 

whatever work they think is necessary. The creation of riparian zones must not allow any other 

existing rights to be extinguished.


LINNET 2 HABITATS 

This measure involves planting small, non-intensive plots of cereals, especially in areas where 

there is a lot of grassland. They provide a source of overwintering food for finches and other 

bird species in the form of seeds and small insects. 

If you choose LINNET land management as part of your core requirement under Measure 1 or 

Measure 2, you will not be eligible for payment on it as a Supplementary Measure. The 

qualifying area for the basic REPS payment is reduced by the area included in this Supplementary 

Measure. Areas included in this Supplementary Measure must be declared as cereal in your 

Single Payment application. 



The size of the plot 

● It must be at least 0.5 hectares. 

● The maximum payment is for 2.5 hectares. 

● If you are putting more than 1 hectare into LINNET, the plots must be split up over the 

farm. 

● Plots must be at least 5 metres wide and 0.25 hectares in area. 

The location of the plot 

● It must be on lands where a successful tillage crop can be grown. 

● It must not be on habitats identified in the plan, or on land of high nature conservation 

value. 

● It must not be on lands where waders breed at high concentrations. 

● It must not be on waterlogged areas such as peat lands or other seasonally flooded areas. 

● Plots between 0.25 hectares and 0.5 hectares must be within 0.5 km of another LINNET 

plot. 

● Plots between 0.5 ha and 1 ha can be located anywhere on the holding. 

● Crop must be grown for all five years of your REPS plan. 

● The crop should be sited next to thick hedges where possible or, where there are no 

hedges, next to woodland or scrub. 

2 LINNET stands for Land Invested in Nature, Natural Eco–Tillage. 


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38 

Preparing the Plot 

● The area must be fenced or otherwise inaccessible to all livestock, though you need not 

keep out wild deer. 

● Fertiliser, lime or slurry applications must be in accordance with the requirements of 

Measure 1. Half the normal REPS application rates should be enough, as the intention is 

to create a more open crop so that birds have more access to fallen seeds. 

● Pre-sowing weed control is allowed, but after the crop is sown you may not use any 

pesticide (including herbicides). 

Sowing 

● A mix of at least two different crop types must be sown (e.g. cereals and brassicas). 

● Seed must be spring-sown not later than May 31st. 

● Drilling is the preferred sowing method. 

● If you are broadcasting, increase seed rates by between one third (for smaller seeds) and 

a half (for larger seeds). 

● For one-year mixes, crop cover must be retained from the time the crop is established 

until March 1st in the following year. 

● If kale is used in the mix, the plot must be left untouched for two winters and up to March 

1st of the second winter. 

● No harvesting or grazing can take place. 

● If the eligible area on farm is split into a number of plots, each plot must contain a LINNET 

crop mix. 

LINNET CROP MIXES: 

Wild Bird Cover can be made up of a mix that is sown every year or a mix that is sown every other 

year. Recommended seed rates are lower than those for commercial crop production, because 

a more open crop gives birds more access to fallen seeds and weeds. 

One-year mixes must contain a cereal (oats, triticale) and at least one species from the following: 

Phacelia, oilseed rape, linseed, and mustard. Do not include brassicas (oilseed rape, mustard 

etc.) if you are using the one-year mix as a break crop between kale mixes. An example of a oneyear 

mix is oats and linseed. This mix is a good option on heavier, acid soils e.g. 75 kg/ha of oats 

and 15 kg/ha of linseed. Where Brassicas are sown as part of a one-year mix, they must be sown 

in alternate strips to avoid the Brassica dominating over the cereal. 

Two-year mixes must contain kale and at least one from the following: oats, triticale, or linseed. 

Kale is included because it is a biennial plant; the others are annual plants. Clubroot resistant 

varieties of Kale such as “Caledonian” should be sown. Sowing must be done in alternate strips 

to avoid kale becoming dominant and preventing establishment of cereal. 

Examples of two year mixes are given below: 

Mix Drilling Rates 

Kale and linseed 1.5 kg/ha of kale and 15 kg/ha of linseed 

Kale and cereal (oats, triticale) 1.5 kg/ha of kale and 75 kg/ha of cereal


LOW-INPUT SPRING CEREALS 

This supplementary encourages the production of low-input spring cereals in grasslanddominated 

farms, by allowing stubble regeneration over the winter after harvest providing 

winter feed for birds and wildlife. Only farmers who have no existing tillage enterprise can 

choose this measure, and it is not available to farmers who have already chosen REPS Biodiversity 

Option 9D. The qualifying area for the basic REPS payment is reduced by the area included in 

this Supplementary Measure. 



● Each year of your REPS contract, conventionally sow and harvest a spring cereal crop. 

● The crop cannot be undersown with grass and clover, nor can it be harvested as whole 

crop silage. 

● The plot must be at least 0.5 hectares. You will get the maximum payment on 2.5 

hectares. 

● Plots must not be established on habitats identified under Measure 4. 

● The plot(s) must be identified and can only be rotated after the third year of your REPS 

contract. 

● Preparing the Plot: 

● The area must be fenced or otherwise inaccessible to all livestock. 

● Fertiliser, lime or slurry applications must be in accordance with the requirements of 

Measure 1. 

● N Fertilizer rates must not exceed 70% of recommended crop rates. 

● Chemical weed and disease control is permitted. 

● Use of insecticides is not permitted. 


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MINIMUM TILLAGE 

This Supplementary Measure encourages the use of minimum-tillage practices, improving soil 

structure and increasing soil organic matter content. For REPS purposes, minimum tillage means 

the non-inversion of the soil for the purpose of crop establishment. You can get payment under 

this measure on up to 40 hectares. 

This Supplementary Measure is not available to farmers who avail of the minimum tillage 

Biodiversity Option 9E. 



● Establish cereal crops using minimum tillage practices. 

● The plots must be identified in the REPS plan and are not interchangeable.


TRADITIONAL SUSTAINABLE GRAZING 

This Supplementary Measure helps to maintain farming activity on 

specific habitats that might be in danger of abandonment. The 

measure is not available on commonages or on any areas identified 

under REPS Biodiversity Options 2A or 2B. A farmer cannot be paid 

under both Supplementary Measure 8 and Supplementary Measure 

10. 



● The planner must identify Measure 4 grassland habitats that will benefit most from 

grazing with traditional breeds. 

● Maintain a stocking level and grazing regime appropriate to the maintenance of the 

habitat. 

● Have at least 0.5 livestock of traditional breeds per hectare of grassland habitat, subject 

to a minimum of 3 livestock units per farm. 

The following breeds qualify: 

Cattle 

● Kerry or their cross 

● Dexter or their cross 

● Irish Maol (or Moiled) or their cross 

● Aberdeen Angus or their cross (min AAX on Animal Passport) 

● Shorthorn or their cross (min SHX on Animal Passport). 

● Hereford or their cross (min HEX on Animal Passport). 

● Galloway or their cross (min GYX on Animal Passport). 

Equines 

● Connemara Pony 

● Kerry Bog Pony 

Ovines 

● Galway ewe 

● Blackface Mountain and 

other local mountain breeds 


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INCORPORATION OF CLOVER INTO GRASSLAND SWARDS 

This Supplementary Measure contributes to better water quality by encouraging farmers to 

incorporate clover into grassland swards. This means the grassland needs less nitrogen from 

fertilisers. Plots identified as habitats under Measure 4 and plots included in Biodiversity Options 

2A and 2B cannot be included in this Supplementary Measure. 



● Incorporate clover in 80% of the grassland swards of your farm, or 40 hectares — 

whichever is the lower. 

● All the clover must be sown before the end of the fourth year, in roughly equal areas 

each year. 

● Have an annualised rotation for sowing. 

● Use a minimum of 5 kgs/hectare of white clover seed. 

● Plots must be clearly identified and seed certification labels must be retained in 

accordance with Measure 11.


MIXED GRAZING 

This measure will maintain and increase biodiversity on grassland by encouraging mixed grazing. 

The measure is available to farmers who graze both bovines and sheep in a structured way that 

is targeted to deliver a diverse sward. A farmer cannot be paid under both Supplementary 

Measure 8 and Supplementary Measure 10. 



● Have an annual average of at least three bovine livestock units on your holding. 

● Graze with bovines for at least 3 months. 

● Implement this measure on privately owned or leased land on your holding but not on 

commonage. 

How much you get paid for this measure will depend on how many ewes you have. The payment 

will be calculated on the basis of 4 ewes to the hectare up to a maximum of 20 hectares. This 

means that to get the top payment, you need at least 3 bovine livestock units, 80 ewes and 20 

hectares. 


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44 


LAKES AND CATCHMENTS 

This supplementary measure will not be generally available for some time. It will be introduced 

initially, on a pilot basis, in the Corrib catchment.


TRADITIONAL FARM BUILDINGS 

This measure will help to ensure that a number of traditional farm buildings, which contribute 

to the visual landscape and are of historical and architectural value, will be maintained into the 

future. It will be operated by the Heritage Council on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, 

Fisheries and Food. 

HOW TO APPLY 

You can get further information and the necessary documentation, including an application 

form, from the Heritage Council, Rothe House, Parliament Street, Kilkenny. Applications must 

be returned directly to the Heritage Council, who will select the most appropriate projects each 

year. A formal letter of offer will issue to successful applicants, who will be required to sign and 

return an acceptance sheet before work commences. 

Payment will only issue on certification by the Heritage Council of satisfactory completion of 

the works. Grants of 75% of the cost of works up to a maximum grant of €25,000 will be 

available and the balance of 25% must be from the applicant’s own resources. 


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APPENDIX A 

USEFUL NAMES & ADDRESSES 

BirdWatch Ireland NPWS 

Crank House 7 Ely Place 

Banagher Dublin 2 

Co. Offaly 01-8883224 

Tel. 0509-51951 http://www.npws.ie/ 

www.birdwatchireland.ie 

Crann National Monuments Service 

PO Box 860 Department of the Environment 

Celbridge Heritage, and Local Government, 

Co. Kildare Dún Scéine 

Tel. 01-6275075 Harcourt Lane 

e.mail info@crann.ie Dublin 2 

www.crann.ie Tel. 01-8883109 

http://www.environ.ie/ 

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service 

Fisheries and Food, Johnstown Castle Estate 

REPS Section Wexford 

Johnstown Castle Estate Tel. 053 91 63400 

Wexford www.agriculture.gov.ie 

Tel. 053 91 63400 

www.agriculture.gov.ie 

Enfo 

17 St. Andrew Street 

Dublin 2 

Tel. 01-8882001 

Fax. 01-8883946 

e.mail info@enfo.ie 

Environmental Protection Agency 

P.O. Box 3000 

Johnstown Castle Estate 

Wexford 

Tel. 053 91 60600 

Fax. 053 91 60699 

www.epa.ie 

Irish Seed Savers Association 

Capparoe 

Scarriff 

Co. Clare 

Tel. 061-921866 

e.mail info@irishseedsavers.ie

FISHERIES BOARDS 

CENTRAL FISHERIES BOARD 

Balnagowan, Mobhi Boreen, 

Glasnevin, Dublin 9. 

Tel: 01 - 8379206; 

Fax: 01- 8360060 

SOUTHERN REGION 

Southern Regional Fisheries Board, 

Epworth, Anglesea Street,Clonmel, 

Co Tipperary. 

Tel: 052 - 23624, 24932; 

Fax: 052 - 23971 

SHANNON REGION 

Shannon Regional Fisheries Board, 

Ashbourne Business Park, 

Dock Road, 

Limerick. 

Tel: 061-300238; 

Fax: 061-300308 

NORTH-WESTERN REGION 

North-Western Regional Fisheries Board, 

Ardnaree House, Abbey Street, 

Ballina, Co Mayo. 

Tel: 096 - 22788; 

Fax: 096 - 70543 

EASTERN REGION 

Eastern Regional Fisheries Board, 

15A Main Street, Blackrock, Co. Dublin 

Tel: 01-2787022; 

Fax: 01-2787025 

SOUTH-WESTERN REGION 

South-Western Regional Fisheries Board, 

Sunnyside Hse.Macroom, Co Cork. 

Tel: 026 - 41221, 41222; 

Fax: 026 – 41223 

WESTERN REGION 

Western Regional Fisheries Board, The Weir 

Lodge, Earl's Island, 

Galway. 

Tel: 091 - 563110, 563118, 563119; 

Fax: 091 - 566335 

NORTHERN REGION 

Northern Regional Fisheries Board, Station 

Road, Ballyshannon, 

Co Donegal. 

Tel: 071-9851435; 

Fax: 071-9851816 

APPENDIX A 

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48 

APPENDIX B 

GUIDELINES FOR REJUVENATION/COPPICING/LAYING OF HEDGES/ESTABLISHING OF NEW 

HEDGEROWS 

When is rejuvenation appropriate? 

Unmanaged hedgerows have a natural lifespan of up to forty years and since there is only very 

limited natural regeneration (seeding) within a hedgerow, over time hedgerows lose vigour, 

become thin at the base and eventually die out. Rejuvenation allows the natural lifespan of 

hedgerow plants to be extended almost indefinitely. 

Rejuvenation is major surgery and should only be carried out on relatively healthy i.e. not 

diseased hedgerows. Rejuvenation extends the natural life of the hedgerow by interrupting the 

natural aging process. When a hedge is cut, the plants will react in two ways. Firstly, dormant 

buds sprout just before the cut. Secondly, the plants begin to grow more vigorously to counteract 

the damage inflicted by cutting. This results in an overall thickening of the hedgerow. 

A Comparison Between Coppicing and Laying Hedgerows 

Coppicing Laying 

Effect of Species Most hedgerow species are 

suitable for coppicing. An 

exception is Beech 

Most suitable for stems of 50- 

200mm diameter at the base. 

Height of approx. 2.5 – 4.5 

metres. 

Effect on Shelter Loss of shelter. Reasonable shelter retained. 

Effect on Wildlife Improves diversity of ground 

flora but generally worse for 

wildlife than laying. 

Effect on Landscape Dramatic impact on 

landscape. 

Hedge retained can still 

flower and fruit and provide 

nesting for birds. 

Less impact on the landscape 

and has advantage of 

aesthetic qualities. 

Laying of Hedgerows 

Hedgerow laying involves the part cutting through of selected stems, bending them over at an 

angle of 70 - 80 degrees and securing the branches and stems to stakes driven into the hedgerow 

bank. There are many variations of hedgerow laying. The most suitable and effective method 

should be chosen. Additional information may be found at 

http://www.crann.ie/ 

http://www.teagasc.ie/ 

http://www.hlai.ie 

A downward angled cut is made (with a billhook, axe or chainsaw) approx 3 ⁄4 through the stem 

(experience will tell you how far to go). The stem is then laid over. 

The heel or stub is cut off at a sloping angle near the ground to encourage regrowth from the 

ground but also to prevent injury to livestock and allow water run-off.

A long, thin tongue or hinge allows the laid stem to be twisted and positioned to best advantage. 

Laid stems are secured to prevent them being damaged by livestock rubbing or pushing against 

the hedge and to prevent damage from strong winds. Cut stems are secured to posts driven into 

the hedge bank interwoven with suitable rods (hazel/willow) to give stability. 

Coppicing of Hedgerows 

Long neglected and overgrown hedges with sufficient vigour may be coppiced (cut back to 10 

cm. from ground level). This may be carried out with a chainsaw or circular saw. Gaps should be 

filled by in-planting similar species. e.g. blackthorn or holly quicks. New growth that emerges 

from ground level must be protected by fencing from livestock and weed competition until 

established. 

Only broadleaf species are suitable for coppicing; in general conifers do not regenerate from cut 

stumps. 

Species that will regenerate when coppiced include: 

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), Birch (Betula pendula), Alder (Alnus glutinosa), Willow (Salix 

alba), Poplar (Populus nigra)), Ash (Fraxinus excelsior), Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), Oak 

(Quercus spp.). Hazel (Corylus avellana), Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa), Holly (Ilex 

aquifolium). 

New Hedgerow Establishment 

Guidelines for Site preparation: 

Burn off a metre strip of vegetation beforehand by using one of the following methods: 

● Glyphosate is the preferred option in summer and repeat 4 weeks pre planting. 

● At least once pre-planting, 

● Cover with black polythene (1m wide) at least for 6 months. 

Plough or break up soil in a trench 

● 0.6m wide and 0.3m deep 

● using plough or mini digger with 25cm bucket 

Add well composted FYM or compound fertiliser 

Rotavate soil 

Mound planting is recommended where drainage is not ideal 

Form a potato ridge. Deeper rooting depth leads to better drainage 

Avoid water logged, shallow and very exposed sites 

Ensure the site has sufficient soil 

Kill off grass and weeds beforehand 

Avoid planting the hedge too close to a wall or fence 

Species selection: 

In order to conserve Ireland’s genetic biodiversity the species selected should originate from 

suitable indigenous sources of native seed. Species selection should be considered in the context 

of the desired function of the hedgerow. A multi-species hedge, will have more wildlife and 

aesthetic interest while a stockproof hedgerow will require a predominance of thorny species. 

A stockproof hedge should have a minimum of 80% thorny species. 

Select species suitable to the site. A mix of species is more attractive and valuable to wildlife. 

Use of native species of Irish origin must be prioritised. 

Use hawthorn as the dominant species. 

Include other suitable species as desired: Choose from native plants e.g. blackthorn, hazel, holly, 

spindle, dog rose, crab, guelder rose etc. 

APPENDIX B 

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50 

Look around you – follow nature’s example. 

Planting Guidelines: 

Plant between November and February 

Don’t plant in very wet or frosty conditions 

Plant density for a stock proof hedgerow should be 8 plants per metre run. 

Plant hawthorn in single rows (at c.140mm centres) or double staggered rows (c.400mm apart 

and c.375mm between rows). 

Plant a multi-species hedge in a single row at suitable plant spacings. Depending on species 

selection aim for 4- 6 plants per metre run. 

Suggested plant density options: 

2-8 hawthorn/metre 

2-6-beech/ metre 

2-5 holly/ metre 

Other planting densities depend on species 

After planting care: 

Aftercare is essential for the successful establishment of the newly planted hedge! 

Trim back spindly top growth of hawthorn to encourage basal growth. 

Fence appropriately to exclude all stock and to protect against rabbits and hares. 

Grass and weeds must be controlled 

Different control methods: 

o Black polythene 

o Biodegradable mulches egg wood chippings 

o Mechanical/manual control 

o Herbicides applied according to Measure 6 

Replace dead plants at the appropriate time. 

NATIVE BROADLEAF TREES 

SPECIES OPTIMUM SITE CHARACTERISTICS REMARKS 

Pedunculate Oak 

Quercus Robur 

Sessile Oak 

Quercus Petraea 

Ash 

Fraxinus Excelsior 

Well-aerated deep 

fertile loams. Will do 

well on heavier soils 

Tolerates less rich 

and lighter textured 

soils than Q. robur 

A very exacting 

species demanding 

good soil conditions, 

preferably sheltered, 

moist well-drained 

fertile loam soils 

Slow growing, long 

lived tree once the 

climax vegetation 

over most of the 

country 

Oaks will not 

produce good 

timber on excessively 

drained or sandy 

soils 

A fast growing 

species regarded as 

not being suitable 

for large scale 

planting 

Major forest species. 

One of our few 

native broadleaved 

trees. Very high 

amenity value 


Native to Ireland. 

Now designated as 

Irish national tree 


Native tree.

Wild Cherry 

Prunus Avium 

Alder 

Alnus spp 

Birch 

Betula spp 

Willow 

Salis spp 

Whitebeam 

Sorbus Aria 

Rowan 

Sorbus Aucuparia 

Fertile deep welldrained 

mineral 

soils. Preference for 

slightly acid soils but 

will do well on deep 

loams over limestone 

Common alder is a 

very hardy 

accommodating 

species suitable for 

wet sites. Good 

wildlife species. Grey 

and Italian alders 

will tolerate and 

grow well on drier 

sites. Italian alder is 

has a preference for 

more alkaline sites 

Pioneer species 

suited to very acid 

soils and peats 

Useful species for 

wet sites and 

streamsides 

Most fertile mineral 

soils 

Suitable for lowland 

and hill acidic sites. 

Will tolerate even 

alkaline sites 

Fast growing, light 

demanding, 

requiring 

considerable space. 

The only commercial 

broadleaved tree 

with attractive 

blossoms 

Fast growing 

nitrogen-fixing tree. 

Suitable broadleaf 

for even the wettest 

sites 

Fast growing, hardy 

species, withstands 

exposure and frost 

well. Useful as a 

nurse crop in 

mixtures but must be 

kept under control 

or it will smother a 

slower growing tree 

species 

Fast growing useful 

for conservation and 

amenity but rarely 

for timber 

production. Willow 

can be used in a 

variety of ways as a 

shelterbelt system 

Attractive amenity 

tree also suitable for 

shelter 

Hardy tree suitable 

for exposed sites. 

Widely used amenity 

tree 


Native tree. May 

suffer from bacterial 

canker and aphid 

attack 

Minor forest species. 

Common Alder is a 

native tree. Coppices 

freely and can be 

used in mixtures on 

very infertile sites. 

Valuable shelter tree 


Native tree. Young 

trees coppice freely. 

May be used as a soil 

improver. Can be 

mixed into 

shelterbelts 


Native tree. 


Native tree. Tolerant 

of exposed and 

coastal sites 


Native tree. Offers 

good support for 

wildlife 

APPENDIX B 

51


52 

NATIVE CONIFER 

SPECIES OPTIMUM SITE CHARACTERISTICS REMARKS 

Scots Pine 

Pinus Sylvestris 

Thrives on light 

textured or sandy 

soils. Tolerant of acid 

conditions. Avoid 

poorly drained or 

alkaline soils and 

exposure to coastal 

winds 

A strong, light 

demanding slow 

growing tree. Can be 

used as a nurse 

species. Unsuitable 

for high elevations or 

shelter-belting 

OTHER COMMON TREE AND SHRUB SPECIES IN THE IRISH LANDSCAPE 

AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS 

Species Characteristics/Remarks 

Beech 

Fagus Sylvatica 

Sycamore 

Acer Pseudoplatanus 

Poplars 

Populus 

Hybrid clones 


Once native but died 

out, now comes from 

imported sources. 

Regarded as the best 

conifer for both 

amenity and wildlife. 

Attracts insects, birds 

and red squirrels 

Well drained, loamy, fertile soils with a 

preference for soils derived mainly from 

limestone 

Tolerant of shade when young. Creates 

dense shade and suppresses ground 

vegetation as it reaches maturity 

Major forest species. Non-native tree. 

Benefits from a nurse on exposed sites. 

Useful for under-planting. Grey squirrels can 

be very destructive particularly to young 

beech 

Prefers a moderately fertile free draining 

soil. Tolerant of calcareous soils 

Fast growing tree that seeds easily. 

Withstands exposure and smoke pollution 

very well 

Major forest species. Non-native tree. Grey 

squirrels can be very harmful. A windfirm 

tree. Rich in wildlife value. Valuable for 

shelter 

Very exacting species requiring deep, well 

drained moderately fertile sites 

Very fast growing, light demanding tree. 

Some species susceptible to bacterial canker, 

select disease resistant clones only 

Potentially major forest species. Non-native 

tree. Offers great prospects as Short 

Rotation Forestry species for pulpwood, 

paper and particle board


Red Oak 

Quercus Rubra 

Horse Chestnut 

Aesculus Hippocastanum 

Walnut 

Juglans spp 

Lime 

Tilia spp 

Norway Maple 

Acer Platanoides 

Grows well on poor sandy soils 

A fast growing tree, less suited to heavy soils 

Minor forest species. Non-native tree. High 

amenity because of its red and russet colours 

in the autumn 

Thrives on all except waterlogged sites but 

has a preference for fertile soils 

An excellent amenity tree used mainly for 

avenues or as a specimen tree 

Minor forest species. Non-native tree 

Deep, well drained, loam textured, 

moderately fertile soil. Suitable for well 

sheltered sites with a southerly aspect 

J. nigra grows somewhat faster than J. regia 

but timber may not be as highly figured. 

Worth pruning to give a clean stem 

Potentially major forest species. Non-native 

tree. Abnormal growths called “burr 

walnut” are much sought after for veneer, 

an example of diseased or malformed wood 

being more valuable than healthy timber 

Grows on a wide range of sites, but prefers 

moist fertile limestone soils 

Relatively fast growing. Suitable for planting 

as an amenity tree. Attracts swarms of aphids 

in summertime causing sticky “honeydew” to 

cover foliage that drips off to ground 

vegetation 

Minor forest species. Non-native tree. Tree 

flowers are strongly scented and a great 

attraction for many insects and a rich source 

of nectar for bees 

Prefers a deep, moist, alkaline soil. Tolerates 

less fertile and drier sites than sycamore. 

Avoid exposed sites and frost hollows 

Fast growing tree when young. An attractive 

amenity tree. Greenish yellow flower makes 

a beautiful sight in early spring. Brilliant red, 

green and gold coloured leaves in the autumn 

Minor forest species. Non-native tree. Grey 

squirrel can be very damaging 

APPENDIX B 

53


54 


Privet. 

Lingustrum vulgare 

Sea Buckthorn 

Hippophae rhamnoides 

Snowberry 

Symphoricarpus rivularis. 

Dogwood 

Cornus sanguinea 

Medium sized bushy shrub, partially 

evergreen, closely related to the hedging 

species, Lingustrum ovalfolium, a Japanese 

import. Flowers white, heavily scented 

followed by small black berries. 

Shrub of coastal areas. Will succeed in 

almost any soil. A dense bushy shrub 1-1.5 m 

high: branches armed with stout spines. 

Small green flowers followed on female 

plants by attractive orange-yellow berries, 

which are normally avoided by birds. 

Excellent shrub for maritime exposure. 

A twiggy shrub with small pinkish flowers 

followed by white globular fruits. Spreads 

freely by root suckers. The white globular 

fruits are very striking in the Winter 

hedgerow. 

The straight red stems of this shrub are very 

conspicuous in hedgerows in Winter. It grows 

to six foot, has dark - green untoothed 

opposite arranged leaves that turn dark red 

in Autumn. The hawthorn scented white 

flowers are followed by black fruits. 

Dogwood is common in limey soils and roots 

readily from hardwood cuttings stuck in 

Autumn.

NATIVE HEDGEROW SPECIES 

Species Characteristics Sites 

Whitethorn (Hawthorn) 

Crataegus monogyna. 

Blackthorn or Sloe 

Prunus spinosa. 

Hazel 

Corylus avellana 

Holly 

Ilex aquifolium 

Gorse (Furze or Whin) 

Ulex europaeus 

Ubiquitous native hedge 

plant tough, hardy and fast 

growing. Withstands hard 

cutting and laying. Displays 

great variation in flower hue 

at blossom time. An 

important source of pollen 

and nectar for invertebrates; 

major bee forage plant. 

Quick growing shrub, 

forming an impenetrable 

stockproof barrier when well 

established. Throws out root 

suckers requiring regular 

management. Excellent 

plant for gapping 

hedgerows. Stands up well 

to cutting. Can be 

propagated from rooted 

suckers. Tends to become 

bare at the base. 

Hazel is very suitable to 

coppice and lay. It has high 

amenity and wildlife value: 

an important early source of 

pollen for bees. The 

coppiced stems have many 

uses. 

Slow growing evergreen with 

high amenity value. Forming 

a tough stockproof barrier. 

Good plant for gapping. 

Susceptible to frost damage. 

Abundant in drier parts of 

Ireland. Does not form a 

good stockproof barrier on its 

own. Should be cut back hard 

when it gets leggy and thin at 

the base. Gorse should not 

be laid but trimmed in late 

Winter. 

Tolerant of most soils except 

where very wet. Does not 

thrive at high elevations. 

Susceptible to Fire Blight 

disease; should not be 

planted near tree\shrub 

nurseries or commercial 

orchards. 

Blackthorn does well on 

heavy and sandy soils. Salt 

tolerant, suitable for coastal 

and exposed situations. 

Hazel does well on loams 

and mildly acid soils. Not 

tolerant of wet situations. 

Good choice for free 

draining limestone soils. 

Holly will grow on clay soils, 

sands and gravel. Very 

tolerant of shade. Will not 

grow on wet sites. Both male 

and female plants are 

required to produce berries. 

Gorse does well on poor light 

soils. Will grow on very dry 

and exposed sites where 

other species cannot thrive. It 

is salt tolerant and suitable 

for coastal and exposed sites. 

APPENDIX B 

55


56 

Species Characteristics Sites 

Willow 

Salix species. 

Crab Apple 

Malus pumila. 

Willow is a native tree, the 

many species hybridise 

readily. The tree is fast 

growing, producing heavy 

wood. The plant lends itself 

to laying. Willows make 

poor stockproof hedges yet 

have high wildlife and 

amenity value. The male 

flowers, catkins, are an early 

source of pollen for bees. 

A good hedge can be made 

with crab, it is less 

impenetrable than 

Hawthorn or Blackthorn. 

Should be mixed with other 

species. Provides good 

wildlife habitat and has high 

amenity value. 

Useful for wet sites where 

species choice is limited. Will 

tolerate flooding. Can be 

propagated from hardwood 

cuttings. 

Suited to free draining 

fertile soils, will not thrive in 

heavy cold clays. Crab apple 

occurs intermittently in 

hedgerows and where 

present should be retained 

and allowed develop to 

maturity.

Species Characteristics 

Elm. 

Ulmus species. 

in particular Ulmus glabra. 

Dog Rose. 

Rosa species. 

Briars, Blackberry. 

Rubus species. 

Guelder Rose 

Viburnum opulus 

Elder 

Sambucus nigra. 

Woodbine, Honeysuckle. 

Lonicera periclymenum. 

NATIVE HEDGEROW SPECIES contd 

Wych Elm ( Ulmus glabra. ) is a rare native now only 

encountered in mountain glens in the North West. 

English elm ( Ulmus procera) was reintroduced in 

Norman times. Elm never attained the importance in 

hedgerows here as in England. It was originally 

planted as an ornamental parkland tree. Despite the 

ravages of Dutch Elm Disease, it is often encountered 

in hedgerows as suckers that may eventually succumb 

to the disease. Where present, it should be retained. 

Dog Rose and other related rose species are a common 

constituent of hedgerows scrambling through trees 

and shrubs. Their blossoms and fruit (hips) have high 

amenity value and are an important source of food for 

wildlife. Where present they should be retained. 

Briars often provide extra stockproofing in a hedge. 

The flowers and fruit provide a wide range of food for 

wildlife. Blackberry is an important bee plant in 

Ireland. Briars left unchecked will encroach out into 

fields by means of tip rooting and should be 

controlled. 

Handsome hedgerow shrub with high amenity value. 

Large vigorous shrub with lobed maple like leaves 

which colour richly in Autumn. The white flowers 

produced in June and July are followed by crimson 

fruits which are eaten by birds. 

A ragged, gnarled, small tree common in hedgerows 

with greyish corky bark and branches containing a soft 

pith. The white flowers are followed by bunches of 

purplish fruits. Flower and fruit provide food for a 

wide rang of wildlife species. 

Woodbine is a climbing shrub scrambling through 

hedgerow trees and shrubs. It has high amenity value. 

The fragrant flowers provide nectar and pollen for 

insects and are followed by crimson berries readily 

eaten by birds. 

APPENDIX B 

57


58 

Species Characteristics 

Clematis. Travellers Joy, 

Clematis vitalba. 

Spindle-tree, Pegwood, 

Euonymus europaeus. 

Ivy 

Hedera helix. 

A climbing shrub often completely covering hedges 

and bushes. It climbs by twisting its leaf stalks around 

other plants. The small insignificant greenish cream 

flowers attract bees and flies. The masses of feathery 

fruits so conspicuous in Autumn and Winter give this 

plant the colloquial name “Old Man’s Beard”. A shrub 

that thrives in limey soils. Beautiful shrub of the 

Autumn hedgerow particularly eye-catching after 

overnight frost. 

Vigorous green stemmed hedgerow shrub occasionally 

a small tree. The wood is very hard and was used in 

former times to produce wooden skewers and clothes 

pegs. The small greenish flowers are followed by eye 

catching scarlet 4- lobed seed capsules: Spindle or Peg 

wood is a strikingly beautiful shrub in winter. 

Ivy is a native evergreen plant with high wildlife 

value: it provides habitat for insects and nesting sites 

for birds. It flowers late in the Autumn and is the last 

important nectar and pollen plant available to insects. 

The black fruits which ripen in spring are eaten by 

birds and small mammals, in particular by pine 

martins. Ivy is not a parasitic plant: the small rootlets 

put out by the climbing shoots help the plant to 

adhere to it’s support: they have no penetrative 

powers. In trees, ivy clings to it’s host, it does not feed 

on it, and while the tree is in good health the ivy will 

be a secondary plant and although ascending the 

trunk and branches can do no harm. Should the tree 

decline for any reason and fail to leaf the ivy will take 

over as is often seen on elm that has succumbed to 

Dutch Elm Disease. 

Where necessary ivy should be managed. Ivy may be 

allowed to develop on some trees within a hedgerow 

but controlled on others or allowed to grow 

unchecked for many years and controlled when the 

growth becomes too heavy. On sound walls ivy is 

harmless and in fact beneficial, keeping them dry in 

winter and cool in summer. Walls that are very weak 

can be pulled down if a weight of ivy has bushed out 

at the top of the wall and then becomes heavy with 

snow or rain and susceptible to the pull of strong 

winds. Clipping obviates this possibility and the life of 

many walls could be prolonged by a well managed ivy 

cover. Ivy covered walls should be clipped over in late 

Spring. If required ivy can be removed from trees and 

walls by cutting the stem just above ground level and 

making a second cut at least 10 cm. above the first cut. 

The resultant detached section of stem should be 

removed.

Species suitable for screening farm buildings, walls etc. under Measure 8 

Suitable tree species can be selected from the species listed in Table 2 above. In addition species 

from the following can be selected in the mix: 

Deciduous Species: 

Beech (Fagus sylvatica), Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), Poplars (Populus Hybrid clones), Red 

Oak (Quercus Rubra), Horse Chestnut (Aesculus Hippocastanum), Walnut (Juglans spp.), Field 

Maple (Acer campestre), Norway Maple, (Acer platanoides). Lime (Tilia spp.) 

Conifers: 

Larch (Larix spp.), Corsican Pine (Pinus nigra var. maritima), Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata), 

Lawson Cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana), Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata), Western 

Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), Macrocarpa (Cupressus macrocarpa), Korean Fir (Abies koreana). 

Suitable self clinging plants for use around farmyards include the following. 

Ivy: Hedera species. Green leafed varieties should be chosen. Ivy is a shade loving plant should 

not be grown on a South facing wall. 

Climbing Hydrangea: Hydrangea petiolaris. vigorous, climbs by aerial roots. decidious. 

Virginia Creeper: Parthenocisus tricuspidata. vigorous, decidious. 

Climbers Requiring Support 

Honeysuckle: Lonicera periclymenum, needs support to climb. 

Russian vine: Polygonum baldschuanicum. Very vigorus rampant, twinning plant, needs support 

to climb. 

To screen farm buildings in coastal exposed sites the following species are recommended: 

Trees: 

Conifers: Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis), Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta), Corsican Pine (Pinus 

nigra var. maritima), Maritime Pine (Pinus pinaster), Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata) 

Broadleaf trees: Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo), Willow 

(Salix species). Alder (Alnus glutinosa), Holm Oak (Quercus ilex). White poplar (Populus alba) 

Elder (Sambucus nigra). 

Shrubs: 

Escallonia in species and variety, Burnet Roses (Rosa pimpinellifolia), Rugosa roses, Hypericum 

calycinum, Griselinia littoralis, Phormium tenax, Tamarix, Viburnum tinus, Ulex europeaus, 

Eleagnus, Euonymus, Fuchsia magellinica, Senecio greyii, Pittosporum, Hebe, Olearia species 

in particular O. traversii, O. albida, O. macrodanta. Hipophae rhamnoides, Lupinus arboreus, 

Atriplex halimus. 

APPENDIX B 

59


60 

APPENDIX C 

BIRD BOXES 

Some birds nest inside holes in old or damaged trees. Where there are no natural holes they 

may use nestboxes, if natural food is available nearby. 

Designing a Nestbox 

Birds are different sizes, but will use 'standard' boxes, if you change the size of the entrance 

hole to suit them. Blue Tits and Great Tits are most likely to use these. 

With a large front opening, this box is used by birds that nest in cracks and among creepers, 

such as Robins, Wrens and Spotted Flycatchers. 

Making a box 

Use solid wood or exterior-grade plywood, about 1.5cm thick. Thin wood is not weatherproof 

and most other materials will not last long outdoors. 

Use nails, screws or weatherproof glue to join the pieces together. 

Decide the size of the entrance hole. 

Use a brace and bit, a holesaw or a fretsaw to make the hole. 

A new box will show up to predators and vandals. Paint it with a modern preservative stain 

which is non-toxic. 

Warning: Do not use creosote. 

150mm 

Bottom 

250mm 200mm 

Back Roof Front Side Side 

450mm 112mm 212mm 200mm 250mm 200mm 

Cut a piece of wood to the following dimensions. . . 

The pieces 

fit together 

like this. . . 

Open-fronted version 

for Finches, Wrens and 

Spotted Flycatchers 

Boxes should be suitably located to attract the target species. Boxes should be a minimum of two 

metres from the ground. Shade the box from the sun, especially if it is on a wall. The box should 

face north or east in order to face the entrance away from the worst of the wind and rain. Tilt 

the box slightly forward to keep water away from the hole. 

In autumn when nesting has finished the old nest material should be cleared out to avoid carry 

over of parasites 

Further information can be found at http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/

Summary of counties with suggested target species 

County Barn owl Tree Sparrow Stock Dove 

Kestrel, Spotted 

Flycatcher, 

Swallow, House 

Sparrow Starling 

Carlow Yes Yes Yes Yes 

Cavan No No Yes Yes 

Clare Yes Yes No Yes 

Cork Yes Yes Yes Yes 

Donegal No Yes No Yes 

Dublin Yes Yes Yes Yes 

Galway Galway East Galway East Galway East Yes 

Kerry Yes Yes No Yes 

Kildare Yes Yes Yes Yes 

Kilkenny Yes Yes Yes Yes 

Laois Yes Yes Yes Yes 

Leitrim No No No Yes 

Limerick Yes Yes Yes Yes 

Longford Yes No No Yes 

Louth Yes Yes Yes Yes 

Mayo No No No Yes 

Meath Yes Yes Yes Yes 

Monaghan No No Yes Yes 

Offaly Yes Yes Yes Yes 

Roscommon Yes No No Yes 

Sligo No No No Yes 

Tipperary Yes Yes Yes Yes 

Waterford Yes Yes Yes Yes 

Westmeath Yes Yes Yes Yes 

Wexford Yes Yes Yes Yes 

Wicklow Yes Yes Yes Yes 

APPENDIX C 

61


62 

APPENDIX D 

Agreed farming conditions for: 

● Conservation of the Burren 

● Conservation of blanket bogs, Heaths and upland Grasslands 

● Conservation of sand dunes and machairs 

● Shannon Callows Corncrake Habitat 

● Conservation of river SAC 

CONDITIONS FOR THE CONSERVATION OF THE BURREN 

Description 

The Burren areas to which these conditions apply are all designated target lands within the East 

Burren Complex, Black Head-Poulsallagh Complex, Moneen Mountain and the Galway Bay 

Complex SACs, and other SPAs and NHAs in the Burren. These target lands contain extensive 

areas of limestone pavement, limestone grassland, limestone heath, calcareous fen, springs, 

turloughs, scrub and woodland. Areas of improved agricultural grassland within these complexes 

are treated separately (see 1 below). Within these areas, a long history of low nutrient input, 

extensive, mainly winter-based grazing regimes has ensured the survival of a rich and unique 

biodiversity, and has restricted the level at which scrub has encroached. REPS Measures must 

work to support a continuation of these important farming traditions. 

General Provisions 

The conditions applicable to Natura 2000/NHA/Commonage sites will apply here. No 

environmentally damaging activity is permitted without prior approval of NPWS – see list of 

Restricted and Prohibited Activities below. In addition, a number of specific conditions will apply 

for the Burren. 

Please note that the following conditions may be superseded by specific recommendations for 

individual farms. Where the situation on farm warrants an exception to the general rules, the 

National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and 

Food should be contacted. 

Grazing Regime 

A minimum annual stocking rate of 0.15 LU/ha of Utilizable Agricultural Area (UAA) will apply. 

Rates below this level will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances. 

Sustainable optimum stocking levels will be set down by the REPS planner in the REPS plan 

following careful assessment of the environmental conservation needs of the farm. In particular, 

stocking levels should be set to avoid the dual threats of undergrazing and overgrazing. Where 

the stock level set by the planner requires a reduction, this must be achieved within 12 months 

of the start of the plan. Where the stock level is to increase, this can be spread over the period 

of the plan, as specified by the planner. 

Grazing will be permitted on all areas from September to April inclusive, except on wetlands 

susceptible to poaching. In some cases, light summer grazing may also be permitted from mid- 

July onwards where there is a justifiable need based on a condition assessment. Late summer 

grazing will be at a reduced stocking level to be laid down by the REPS planner, based on an 

assessment of the productivity, management history and environmental conservation needs of 

the management units in question.

Livestock owned by others may be grazed on REPS farms for four consecutive months between 

January and April inclusive where there is a demonstrable environmental conservation need. 

This will be subject to non-mixing of herds, and the farmer who owns the land meeting minimum 

stocking requirements. No additional feeding of silage to imported stock will be permitted. 

All stocking rates and grazing periods will be subject to ongoing monitoring and review. 

Feeding Regime 

Supplementary feeding on Burren areas should be minimal. Sustainable optimum feeding levels 

will be set down by the REPS planner in the REPS plan following careful assessment of the 

agricultural and environmental needs of the farm. The amount of feed should not exceed 1.25 

tons of silage (or the equivalent in other feed) per livestock unit or 50% of the feed requirement 

of the animal for the feeding period. In normal years, supplementary feeding of livestock will 

be confined to a period between January 15th and April 12th. 

In unusually severe winters, feeding can be permitted outside of this period with the prior 

agreement of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food after consultation with the 

National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). All supplementary feed must be distributed at 

"feeding points" described and specified in the farm plan. Feeding areas must not be located on 

bare pavement, but preferably on areas of deeper soil, which already have low plant species 

diversity. Where severe poaching is a risk, feeders should be rotated within designated feeding 

areas. Locations should be chosen to reduce the possibility of ground water pollution or changes 

in the flora, and also to minimise visual impact. Any accumulation of manure at feeding points 

must be removed at the end of the feeding season. 

Farm Improvement works 

No farm improvement works such as land reclamation, infilling or rock removal, trackway 

construction, building or handling facility construction are permitted without the prior approval 

of the National Parks and Wildlife Service. The cutting of scrub with chain saw or other brush 

cutting tools is permitted, but treating cut stumps with herbicide will require permission. 

Use of fertilizer or herbicide 

Neither organic nor inorganic fertilisers may be applied. Spraying or broadcast application of 

herbicides can only be carried out with prior approval of the NPWS. Spot application and wipeon 

treatments of weeds listed in the Noxious Weed Act 1936 (as amended) can be undertaken. 

Groundwater pollution 

The greatest care should be taken on the Burren to observe the national regulations on 

agricultural pollution. The hydrology of the Burren is such that pollutants run into the 

groundwater and into local lakes and other water bodies very quickly. Farmyard manure must 

not be stored in fields for composting. Planners should identify suitable feed storage areas so 

that the groundwater is protected. 

(1) AREAS OF IMPROVED AGRICULTURAL GRASSLAND IN THE BURREN, WHICH ARE 

DESIGNATED AS SAC/SPA/NHA 

Description 

These are areas of intensively managed or highly modified agricultural grassland that have been 

reseeded and/or regularly fertilised, and are now heavily grazed and/or used for silage or hay 

making. They are usually very species poor, often dominated by Rye grasses, and are very 

productive agriculturally. For more details see Fossitt (2000), Category GA1. 


APPENDIX D 

63


64 

Relatively intensive farming practices in these areas require careful management to avoid 

nutrient pollution of the internationally important wetlands of the region. It is particularly 

important that nitrate and phosphate leaching from these areas to the wetlands be kept to an 

absolute minimum. REPS plans must be drawn up to meet these requirements. They must also 

meet the following specific requirements. 

Fertiliser, Slurry and Farmyard Manure Applications 

Where fertilisers are being applied, the initial soil sampling areas should be relatively intensive 

with at least one sample per 2-4 ha. 

The phosphorus fertilisation rates must not exceed the amount permitted for Index 3 soils. Where 

they are already above that level no chemical phosphates can be applied. 

Nitrogen and Potassium should only be applied at rates that can be effectively used in 

conjunction with the Phosphorus levels prevailing in the soil. 

Slurry production on Burren farms should be minimised by proper use of outwintering areas. 

Slurry and waste spreading must not exceed 25 cubic metres per hectare per application and 

must not occur within 50m of lakes or winter-flooded areas. It should be spread only after grass 

growth has started. All slurry produced on the farm must be spread by August 31st. 

Where possible, farmyard manure should be recycled to the area from which hay or silage was 

obtained. It must not be stored in fields for composting and any accumulation of such manure 

at feeding points must be removed at the end of the feeding season. No agreements should be 

made to landspread manure produced on other farms onto Natura 2000/NHA/Commonage land. 

Extreme care should be taken to ensure that neither fertilizer nor silage effluent enters streams 

and watercourses, including areas subject to flooding such as turloughs. 

MONITORING THE EFFECTS OF REPS IN THE BURREN 

Arising from the results of research undertaken through the BurrenLIFE Project, it may be 

necessary to review and modify the "Conditions for the Conservation of the Burren" to be 

applied under REPS. 

Restricted and Prohibited Activities on designated areas of the Burren (prior notification to NPWS 

will be required) 

● Reclamation, land drainage, ploughing, cultivation or reseeding. 

● Infilling or rock removal. 

● Planting of trees or other species. 

● Dumping, burning or storing of any materials. 

● Alteration of the banks, bed or flow of watercourses. 

● Operation of recreation facilities (e.g. pony trekking). 

● New tracks or pathways. 

ASSESSMENT OF MANAGEMENT UNITS WITHIN THE BURREN 

How a management unit within the Burren is farmed will have a critical impact on the 

biodiversity value of the unit. Too little grazing and biodiversity will decrease as grasses such as 

the blue moor grass, purple moor grass or red fescue (and their litter) become dominant, 

smothering smaller herb species and eventually leading to possible scrub encroachment. Overuse 

of a site, which often involves large amounts of imported feed, will also reduce the biodiversity 

value of a site through poaching, nutrient enrichment and the introduction of weed species. 

Therefore, determining the best grazing and feeding regime for a site is critical.

For the purposes of assigning an appropriate grazing and feeding regime to a particular 

management unit, the following key factors will need to be taken into account: 

● The traditional and current management regime of the management unit 

● The inherent/natural productivity of the management unit 

● The conservation status of the management unit 

A simple assessment of the site will be required to determine: 

● The traditional and current management regime practiced (determined in consultation 

with farmer) 

Year-round grazing – an enriched flora with buttercups, thistles and meadow-type grasses. 

Winter grazing – a typical Burren flora with blue moor grass and fescue grasses common 

Wintered with light summer grazing - a typical Burren flora but with significantly 

increased levels of meadow-type grasses 

● The inherent/natural productivity of the site 

Higher productivity – mainly deeper soils, meadow-type vegetation (Winter CC > 0.5 

LU/ha) 

Lower productivity – mainly very thin soils, typical Burren flora (Winter CC < 0.2 LU/ha) 

Intermediate productivity – between the above, mixed species (Winter CC 0.2 – 0.5 LU/ha) 

● The conservation status of the site 

Undergrazed - High litter (dead vegetation) levels, encroaching scrub, low dunging levels 

etc 

Overgrazed - Bare and disturbed ground, poached areas common, weedy vegetation etc 

Well grazed - Low litter levels, stabilised scrub levels, minimal poaching etc 

A simple assessment template will be provided for Planners to conduct site assessments in order 

to determine what categories a management unit will fall into. This will allow the planner to 

recommend changes to existing stocking rates, grazing periods and feeding regimes for each 

management unit. 

APPENDIX D 

65


66 

CONDITIONS FOR THE CONSERVATION OF BLANKET BOGS, HEATHS AND UPLAND GRASSLANDS 


These conditions for specific habitat types are supplementary to the 

agri-environmental plan requirements of the general REPS programmes. The conditions for the 

target areas under Natura 2000/NHA/Commonage sites apply. Planners may seek a derogation 

from the Regional Inspector to vary these conditions in individual cases. All REPS plans in respect 

of NHAs must be approved and signed by the Planning Agency’s environmentalist/ecologist. 

Detailed Conditions 

The conditions applicable to Natura 2000/NHA/Commonage sites apply; the guidelines set out 

below are complementary to these conditions. 

Stocking Density 

In all cases an environmentally sustainable plan must be prepared and adhered to for the total 

area of the farm. Sustainable optimum stocking rates must be set down by the REPS planner 

following careful assessment of the environmental conservation needs of the lands. 

Where the stocking levels set down by the planner require a reduction in stock this must be 

achieved within one year of the commencement of the plan. 

There can be no increase in stocking levels, no introduction of stock to new areas and no changes 

in stock type during the period of the REPS plan without the prior approval of the Department 

of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. 

The maximum number of sheep that may be kept on the farm as a whole must be set down in 

the REPS plan. The conditions set out for Natura 2000/NHA/Commonage areas must be followed. 

The following parameters apply: 

● Where there is no damage the current stocking levels are acceptable. 

● If the level of damage is moderate a stocking reduction must be prescribed by the planner 

at a level related to the damage and sufficient for the vegetation to recover. 

● If the level of damage is severe, a stocking reduction of between 70% and 100% of ewe 

numbers on the damaged area must be prescribed for a specified period. 

At the review of the REPS plan, the conservation status of the areas will be reviewed. A change 

in the stocking levels (increase or decrease) may be appropriate depending on progress. 

Stocking levels apply to Scottish Blackface sheep or similar medium sized sheep breeds. Stocking 

levels for cattle or other stock should be at livestock unit applicable rates taking account of 

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food conversion rates for the various stock types. The 

stocking levels recommended in this document are maximum sustainable rates for year round 

grazing. If shorter periods of grazing are used the number of animals may be increased, though 

not necessarily pro rata. 

Supplementary Feeding 

Supplementary feeding is permitted only on areas where it is currently practised. Locations of 

feeding points must be specified. To reduce heavy grazing, trampling, poaching and erosion 

problems, “feeding points” should be moved every 3 weeks and sited on ground with least 

habitat and wildlife value, preferably on grassland well away from stands of heather. Feeding 

on steep slopes and on peaty soils should be avoided where possible. The total amount of feed 

used must not be increased.

Use Of Fertilisers And Herbicides 

Neither organic nor inorganic fertilisers or lime can be applied on bogs, heaths or upland 

grasslands where they have not been used before. Fertilisers must not be used as a means of 

regenerating eroded areas. In the case of upland grasslands fertilisers can only be applied on 

the basis of the results of a soil test. Where fertilisers are being applied, the initial soil sampling 

should be relatively intensive with at least one sample per 2-4 ha. Target soil phosphate levels 

must not exceed the Index 2 level set out in this specification. 

Spraying or broadcast application of herbicides must be avoided. Spot application and wipe-on 

treatments to eradicate docks, thistles, ragwort and similar noxious weeds may be used. 

Rhododendron may be removed by cutting and herbicide treatment. Bracken control may be by 

rolling, cutting and/or by controlled cattle trampling in early summer. In exceptional 

circumstances control of bracken by herbicides may be permitted. 

Water Pollution 

The greatest care should be taken to observe the statutory requirements on water pollution. 

The hydrology of bogland areas is characterised by extremely nutrient poor surface waters which 

contain flora and fauna adapted to these conditions. These species would be adversely affected 

by nutrient enrichment. New sheep dip sites must be listed and located away from streams and 

flushes to reduce the possibility of water pollution and damage to flora and fauna. 

Restricted And Prohibited Practices 

The following practices must not be carried out on Blanket Bogs, Heaths or Upland Grasslands: 

● The areas must not be drained, ploughed, cultivated or reseeded. 

● There must be no infilling or rock removal. 

● Turf cutting on unexploited bogs is not permitted. Turf cutting for domestic use is 

permitted on existing banks. 

● Planting of trees or other crops is not permitted. 

● No new tracks or paths can be created. 

● Burning is only allowed as a planned management practice. 

● Gorse may be controlled by cutting, spot spraying or exceptionally by burning outside of 

the bird nesting season (March 1st. to August 31st). 

APPENDIX D 

67


68 

FARMING CONDITIONS FOR SAND DUNE AND MACHAIR AREAS 


The conditions set out in this document are supplementary to the farming conditions for the 

general REP Scheme for REPS. The conditions for the target areas under Natura / NHA / 

Commonage sites apply. Planners may seek derogation from the Regional Inspector to vary these 

conditions in individual cases. All REPS plans in respect of NHAs must be approved and signed 

by the Planning Agency’s environmentalist/ecologist. 

Detailed Conditions, Sand Dunes and Machairs 

The conditions applicable to Natura 2000/NHA/Commonage sites apply; the guidelines set out 

below are complementary to these conditions. 

Description 

Sand Dunes and Machairs are coastal habitats consisting of hills and hollows in which unique 

communities of plants and animals are found in response to the very demanding nature of the 

dry, windy and salty environment. Machairs are flat, level plains over lime-rich sands which have 

evolved in response to a unique interaction between wind, high rainfall and historical land use. 

They are found only in western Ireland and Scotland. 

Farming Conditions Recommended For These Areas 

The primary recommendation is to avoid farming practices that cause environmental damage 

and all the following recommendations are designed to meet that objective. If a practice is 

environmentally damaging it must be stopped or modified, but the following are general 

guidelines and may be superseded by specific recommendations for individual farms. The 

National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Environment, Heritage and 

Local Government or the local AES office of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 

should be contacted if the situation on farm warrants an exception to the general rules. 

Grazing Regime 

The conditions for Natura 2000/NHA/Commonage areas apply. It should be noted that on sand 

dunes and machairs, the objective is to maintain extensive agricultural practices, and to prevent 

a further increase in stock numbers. Cattle stock must be kept at the level the land can support 

— see also the section on Supplementary Feeding. 

Cattle grazing should continue in line with traditional practices. The land should normally be 

grazed only in winter. However, in areas where Summer grazing has traditionally (i.e. over the 

previous 10 years) been practised, this can continue, provided, of course, that stock levels at all 

times do not exceed what the land can bear on a sustainable basis. Grazing on young and foredune 

areas should be avoided. 

Where conditions warrant, grazing levels must not exceed 1 Livestock Unit (LU) per hectare on 

a year round average and must never exceed 2 LU at any one time. This change would enable 

2 LUs to be overwintered on the sand dune/machair provided it is deemed to be sustainable by 

the planner. 

The introduction of sheep into areas where they have not been traditionally grazed should be 

avoided, but areas which have kept sheep traditionally can retain them, though perhaps at a 

lower level. 

Sustainable Stocking Levels 

In general the provisions of Natura 2000/NHA/Commonage sites apply. Stocking levels for each

farm should be set by the REPS planner or the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local 

Government (NPWS) planner in the farm plan. The levels should be set below the level which 

causes eutrophication, overgrazing, or erosion, but still high enough to control the 

encroachment of coarse vegetation and scrub. Where the stock level set by the planner requires 

a reduction, this must be achieved within 12 months of the start of the plan. Where the stock 

level is to increase, this can be spread over the period of the plan, as specified by the planner. 

The same level will apply for a REPS plan as for an NPWS plan. 

The NPWS will prepare a conservation plan for each area to cover all aspects of the SAC in 

question, including farming. In so far as the farming aspects are concerned, the plan will be 

prepared in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in accordance 

with the terms of these conditions. Where an area conservation plan has been prepared for the 

SAC in question, this should be used to assist in determining where damage has occurred or is 

occurring, where damage is moderate, and where damage has not occurred. Official conservation 

plans, when available, can be obtained from the local office of the NPWS. 

Supplementary Feeding 

The introduction of supplementary feeding can bring additional nutrients into sand dune and 

machair areas, and thus bring about a very fundamental change in the vegetation of these areas. 

The use of silage and other feed can facilitate excessive stocking levels and may lead to pollution 

of groundwater. Consequently, the use of any supplementary feeds in areas where it has not 

been customary over the last ten years may be allowed only in consultation with the Department 

of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local 

Government. Round-baled silage can be stored in these areas. Loose silage can only be stored 

where an approved effluent collection system is in place, and the effluent is removed from the 

machair/sand dune. 

No supplementary feeding can take place on young and fore-dune areas. 

In machair and grey dune areas where supplementary feed has been used over the last 10 years 

it may be continued, provided that: 

● The number of LUs fed does not increase; 

● The species of stock fed does not change; 

● The total amount of feed equivalent does not increase; 

● The amount of feed does not exceed 3.5 tonnes of silage or 0.75 tonnes of hay per LU; 

● No meals and concentrates are fed. 

However, in exceptional circumstances, such as in unusually severe weather conditions (i.e., when 

there are heavy snowfalls or floods), and with the agreement of the National Parks and Wildlife 

Service, feeding will be permitted. Weanling cattle may be fed small quantities of concentrates. 

Cultivation, Reseeding And Pesticides 

Ploughing, harrowing or any other form of cultivation must be avoided since this will destabilise 

the dune structure. Small traditional tillage plots on machairs may be retained. 

The bringing in of any seeds to these areas will disturb the vegetative balance on which the 

dune depends and must be avoided. The feeding of hay should only be from round feeders. 

The fixed dune parts of sand dunes are essentially areas with low levels of plant nutrients in the 

soil and this has contributed to the development of their distinctive flora. These are also areas 

most used for grazing. However, the spreading of organic (slurry, FYM), or inorganic fertilisers 

must not take place as the flora in these areas would be damaged. 

APPENDIX D 

69


70 

On machairs, where fertiliser has not been applied in the past, none can be applied now. 

However, where low levels of phosphorus have traditionally been applied on machairs, this may 

continue, provided that the soil Phosphorus levels do not increase above their present levels or 

in any event do not exceed Soil Index 2. 

Pesticides and Herbicides 

All spraying or broadcast application of herbicides must be avoided, but spot application and 

wipe on treatment to eradicate docks, thistles and similar noxious weeds can be used. 

Animal Treatments 

Worm doses may be used normally, but animals which have been given pesticides the residues 

of which persist in the dung must be kept off the dune for at least a week after treatment. 

Dumping and Infilling 

The dumping of domestic or industrial refuse, farm wastes, rubble, rock, or any similar materials 

which could disturb the natural environment by bringing in unsuitable nutrients or unsuitable 

soils and seeds must be avoided.

FARMING CONDITIONS FOR THE CONSERVATION OF CORNCRAKE HABITATS 

Shannon Callows 

NOTE: These Farming conditions are supplementary conditions and will apply to areas where 

corncrake habitat is found on the lands. 

1. The total area on the designated part of the farm, which is managed for meadow, shall not 

decrease during the period of the plan nor shall the area of meadow be less than the average 

of the preceding 5 years. 

2. Grazing shall not be permitted on the designated area after 15th March. 

3. The meadow shall not be cut or topped before the 10th August. Other field operations 

requiring the use of tractor machinery (fertilising, rolling, spraying, etc.) are not permitted 

until the date of mowing. Field operations that do not require the use of tractor machinery 

(such as hand spraying) are permitted. 

4. The cutting dates in the 5-year farm plan shall be twice on the 10th August, twice on 1st 

September and once on the 15th September. These dates will be allocated at the start of the 

plan through consultation with the NPWS or their agents. 

5. A top up scheme will be available at the discretion of the NPWS, which will allow for delaying 

mowing up to 15thSeptember. 

6. The meadows should be mown annually except when floods make this impossible. 

7. Meadows must be cut by the “centre out” method (Figure 2.). Details are available from 

BWI/ NPWS. Mower speed should be kept at a low enough speed (e.g. 4mph.) to allow 

corncrakes to move away. 

8. A 2.5 metre margin (Figure 1) must be left on both side of the meadow during cutting to 

allow corncrakes to escape when mowing takes place. These margins can be left uncut until 

the following year if wished but must be cut in the second year. On very narrow plots the 

width can be modified in consultation with the NPWS or their agents. 

9. Existing areas of tall early-growing vegetation (e.g. nettles, reed, cow parsley, iris but not 

trees or shrubs) should be managed to provide cover every year. 

10. The NPWS or their agents must be notified at least 24 hours before the commencement of 

cutting. 

Managing Corncrake Habitat Areas 

The corncrake habitat area must be managed as follows: 

FIGURE 1 

On the callows, a margin should be left on both sides 

CO 

MOWING 

Leave 2 Margins 

FIGURE 2 

Diagram Of Centre Out Mowing 

APPENDIX D 

71


72 

FARMING CONDITIONS FOR THE CONSERVATION OF RIVER SAC 

Fertiliser in River SACs 

In River SACs, no chemical fertiliser should be applied within 1.5 m of any watercourse. 

In River SACs, the recommended buffer strip when spreading organic manures is up to 10 m 

from streams and drains and up to 20 m from main river channels. Where SAC boundaries have 

been reduced to 2.5 m, the relevant buffer is that under REPS/Cross Compliance: 5m for a surface 

watercourse (3 m for open drains and narrow land parcels less than 50 m in width and less than 

1 ha). 

Notifiable Actions 

Current farming activities can continue without notification unless they involve any of the 

following, which, as they may impact upon habitats, are notifiable actions (that is actions which 

would require consultation and consent in advance): 

● Reclamation, infilling or drainage (other than cleaning of drains) 1 within 5 m of the 

riverbank. 

● Removal of trees; reseeding of lands where this has not been practiced for 10 years or 

more; or afforestation. 

● Ploughing or use of any pesticides where this has not been practiced for 10 years or more. 

● Any use of pesticides (herbicide or insecticide) within 5 m of the riverbank. 

● Intensification of current farming activity. 

● Alteration of the banks, channel, bed or flow of the river. 

Ploughing and REPS 

In REPS, a minimum uncultivated margin from watercourses of 3 metres must be maintained. This 

will extend to 5 metres where the SAC boundary is greater than 2.5 metres. 

1 Cleaning of existing drains within SACs is not a notifiable action.

APPENDIX E 

MILK PRODUCTION PARTNERSHIPS 

1. Only Milk Production Partnerships where additional land is brought to the partnership (e.g. 

two individual farm units that amalgamate) are eligible to participate in REPS. 

● Each partner must bring a minimum of 3 ha owned/leased land to the MPP/REPS plan. 

● Each partner must meet the eligibility criteria in section 6 in the REPS 4 Terms and 

Conditions. 

2. One REPS plan for all lands owned /leased /rented and farmed by all the partners in the MPP. 

3. Each partner must declare in the MPP REPS plan all lands farmed by him or her. All lands 

farmed must be farmed to the terms and conditions of REPS. 

4. All lands leased/rented out from the MPP must be declared in the REPS plan. 

5. Payment will only be made on owned/leased (excl. leased commonage) land that is included 

in the MPP. 

6. REPS payment is paid directly to the partnership. 

7. Each member of the partnership must sign all documentation submitted to the Local AES 

office. 

8. A MPP must run for 5 years from the commencement date of the REPS contract 

9. Any change to the lands farmed or MPP agreement must be notified to the Local AES Division 

office within 6 weeks. 

10. A certified copy of the valid MPP agreement must be available for inspection on request. 

11. MPP should complete Record Sheets as required under Measure 11 for all lands farmed and 

all enterprises carried out by the partners in the MPP. 

12. All farm buildings must be maintained in accordance with Measures 1 and 8 and all lands 

owned /leased /rented and farmed by the partnership must be maintained in good 

agricultural and environmental condition. 

APPENDIX E 

73


74 

APPENDIX F 

BREED SOCIETIES 

KERRY CATTLE SOCIETY OF IRELAND 

Ms. Raymonde Hilliard, 

Secretary, 

Cahernane, 

Killarney, 

Co. Kerry. 

064 31840 

secretary@kerrycattle.ie 

www.kerrycattle.ie 

IRISH MOILED CATTLE SOCIETY 

Ms. Jane Light, 

Secretary, 

Irish Moiled Cattle Society, 

7 The Terrace 

Martinstown 

Dorchester 

Dorset 

DT2 9JY 

0044 1305 889828 

mjlight@bun.com 

www.irishmoiledcattlesociety.com 

CONNEMARA PONY BREEDERS SOCIETY 

Ms.Niamh Philbin, 

Secretary, 

The Showgrounds, 

Clifden, 

Co. Galway 

095-21863 

enquiries@cpbs.ie 

www.cpbs.ie 

THE KERRY BOG PONY 

CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY 

Dr. Leo Curran, 

Cuilin, 

Macetown, 

Tara, 

Co Meath. 

info@kerrybogpony.ie 

www.kerrybogpony.ie 

UK DEXTER CATTLE SOCIETY 

Mrs Yvonne Froehlich, 

Secretary 

Dexter Cattle Society, 

1st Floor 

RASE Offices 

Stoneleigh Park 

Warks 

CV8 2LZ 

Tel: 02476 692300 

mailto:secretary@dextercattle.co.uk 

www.dextercattlesociety.co.uk 

GALWAY SHEEP BREEDERS SOCIETY 

Mr. Tom Murphy, 

Assistant Secretary, 

Shralea, 

Creagh, 

Co. Galway 

090 9644233 

teamurphy@eircom.net 

IRISH DRAUGHT HORSE SOCIETY 

Ms.Helen Kelly, 

Secretary, 

Derrynagara, 

Collinstown, 

Co. Westmeath 

044-61199 

idhs@eircom.net 

www.irishdraught.ie

The relevant REPS Record Sheets must be used as the basis for calculating, for the period in 

question, the number of LU’s eligible for payment under this measure. 

1 Livestock Unit (L.U.) Equivalents 

Cattle below 6 months 0.4 LU 

Cattle 6 months – 2 years 0.6 LU 

Cattle over 2 years (including cows) 1.0 LU 

Equines over 6 months 1.0 LU 

Ewe (+/-Lambs at foot) 0.15 LU 

Ram 0.15 LU 

Ewe Lamb (6 mths-1 year intended/ 0.10 LU 

Kept for breeding) 

1 The above Livestock Units equivalents apply when an animal is kept for a full year. Payment under this supplementary 

measure will be made at the end of the recording year based on the monthly average over the recording year. 

Bovines: 

All female bovines less than 2 years of age are eligible to be included for payment. An adult 

female (over 2 years of age) must be mated to a purebred male of the same breed at each mating 

and must (have produced offspring at least once in the previous 2 recording years) produce 

offspring at least once every 2 years to qualify for payment, otherwise these adult females will 

be excluded from the calculation of average LU’s over the year. All male bovines less than 3 years 

of age are eligible to be included for payment. Male bovines over 3 years of age may be included 

for payment up to a maximum of 1 bull per 5 cows. 

A bovine registered in the main section (in any class), or the supplementary section of the 

herdbook is eligible for payment. 

Equines: 

It is a legal requirement that all equines have a passport (not a foal certificate) (see bullets 

below), therefore. All equines must have a passport (not a foal certificate) to be eligible for 

payment in this measure. All registered female and male equines between 6 months and 3 years 

of age are eligible to be included for payment. An adult female (over 3 years of age) must be 

mated to a purebred male of the same breed at each mating and must (have produced registered 

offspring at least once in the previous 2 years) produce offspring at least once every 2 years to 

qualify for payment, otherwise these adult females will be excluded from the calculation of 

average LU’s over the year. All breeding stallions over three years of age will be eligible for 

payment. 

● Irish Draught Horse breed: Animals with a breed code RID, ID and AID animals may be 

eligible for payment. 

● Connemara pony breed: Animals in Classes 1, 2, 3 and 4 may be eligible for payments. 

● Kerry Bog Pony breed: Animals in Classes 1, 2, 3 and 4 may be eligible for payment. 

Ovines: 

All female ovines between 6 months of age and one year of age are eligible for payment. An 

adult female (over 1 year of age) must be mated to a purebred male of the same breed at each 

mating and must (have produced offspring at least once in the previous 2 recording years) 

produce offspring at least once every 2 years to qualify for payment, otherwise these adult 

females will be excluded from the calculation of average LU’s over the year. Male ovines under 

1 year of age are not eligible for payment. Male ovines over 1 year of age may be included for 

payment up to a maximum of 1 ram per 5 adult ewes. 

Documentary evidence of registration/birth notification as appropriate and identification of the 

APPENDIX F 

75


76 

animal on which aid is being claimed must be retained for inspection by the Department. 

● The planner must indicate in the agri-environmental plan if this Supplementary Measure 

is being applied for. 

● The applicant must remain a member of the breed society for the period of the plan. 

● It is the responsibility of the applicant to declare the average livestock units eligible for 

payment under SM3 from the farm record sheets and record this figure on the REPS 1C.

APPENDIX G 

USEFUL TABLES 

Estimated Straw Bedding requirements for the different classes of livestock (average weight of 

animals) to absorb all animal waste – no excess urine discharge from bedding 

Type of Animal 

Straw Usage 

Kg/week 

Urine absorbed 

Litres/week 

Bales usage per week to ensure 

to see page 

Small Square 

Bales 

(weighing 16.5kg) 

4x4 Standard 

Round Bale 

(weighing 137.7 

kg) 

Dairy Cow 55 137 3.3 bales/ cow 1 bale per 2.5 

cows 

Suckler Cow 49 122 3 bales / cow 1 bale per 2.8 

cows 

Beef Cattle (450 

Kg L.W.) 

Young Cattle250 

Kg L.W. 

46 116 2.8 bales / animal 1 bale per 3 

animals 

26 65 1.6 bales / animal 1 bale per 5.3 

animals 

Calf140 Kg L.W. 15 38 0.91 bales / 

animal 

Lowland Ewe 7 16 0.43 bales per 

animal 

Mountain Ewe 4 10 0.25 bales per 

animal 

Lambs - Finishing 3 8 0.2 bales per 

animal 

Horses * 28 39 1.7 bales per 

animal 

Horses * 84 39 5.1 bales per 

animal 

Goat 1.4 3.4 1 bale per 11.8 

animals 

1 bale / 9.2 

animals 

1 bale per 19.6 

animals 


animals 

1 bale per 

45.9animals 


animals 


animals 


animals 

Volume of 

FYMm 3 /week/ 

head 

(where allowed to 

accumulate under 

stock) 

THE ABOVE TABLE SETS OUT THE STRAW REQUIREMENT TO ABSORB ALL URINE IN STANDARD 

4X4 ROUND BALES WEIGHING 137.7 KG AND CONVENTIONAL SMALL SQUARE BALES 

WEIGHING 16.5KG. REFER TO THE TABLE BELOW TO CALCULATE THE NUMBER OF BALES 

REQUIRED FOR OTHER BALE SIZES OR DENSITIES. 

0.700 

0.623 

0.575 

0.324 

0.187 

0.077 

0.046 

0.030 

0.59* 

1.47* 

0.026 

APPENDIX G 

77


78 

Size (m) 

1 SOURCE: Teagasc 

Straw Bale Densities 1 (2003 Data) 

Round Balers High Density Square Conventional 

Standard 

Round 

1.25 

X 

1.25 

Large Round Big Square Medium 

square 

1.55 

x 

1.25 

1.29 

x 

1.25 

x 

2.4 

Density and Absorbency of Selected Bedding Materials 

Medium small Small Square 

Volume (m3) 1.53 2.36 3.87 1.734 1.34 0.15 

Avg 

Density(kg/m3) 90 90 150 150 140 110 

Avg Weight 

(kg) 137.7 212.4 580.5 260.1 187.6 16.5 

Normal range 

Low Density 

(kg/m3) 80 80 140 141 130 90 

Low Weight 

(kg) 122.4 188.8 541.8 244.494 174.2 13.5 

High Density 

(kg/m3) 120 120 175 175 170 130 

High Weight 

(kg) 183.6 283.2 677.25 303.45 227.8 19.5 

Materials 

Bulk Density 

Kg/m3 

Where straw or shredded newspaper is used as litter and the bedding is allowed to accumulate 

under the stock it is suggested that a reduction of half the original volume be applied in 

calculating the storage volume required.*There is no accumulation and therefore no compaction 

in the case of horse manure. 

0.85 

x 

0.85 

x 

2.4 

0.9 

x 

0.6 

x 

2.4 

0.36 

x 

0.46 

x 

0.9 

Net Water Absorbency in Litres/Kg of 

bedding 

Baled Straw 130 2.5 

Chopped Straw 109 2.5 

Loose Straw 64 2.5 

Newspaper – shredded and baled 190 3.3 

Sawdust (dry) 192 2.5 

Sawdust (moist) 215 1.9 

Peat - sphagnum (baled) 500 3.5 

Peat - sphagnum (loose) 210 3.5 

Peat - Fen (loose) 300 1.75 

Wood shavings (softwood) 190 1.5

APPLICATION PERIODS FOR CHEMICAL FERTILISERS, ORGANIC FERTILISERS AND FYM 

Zones 

A Carlow, Cork, Dublin, 

Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, 

Offaly, Tipperary, 

Waterford, Wexford, 

Wicklow 

B Clare, Galway, Kerry, 

Limerick, Longford, 

Louth, Mayo, Meath, 

Roscommon, Sligo, 

Westmeath 

Storage Period Prohibited Application Periods 

16 weeks 

18 weeks 

C Donegal, Leitrim 20 weeks 

D Cavan, Monaghan 22 weeks 

Chemical 

Fertiliser 

15th Sept – 

12th Jan 

15th Sept – 

15th Jan 

15th Sept – 

31st Jan 

15th Sept – 

31st Jan 

Organic 

Fertilisers 

15stOct – 

12thJan 

15th Oct– 

15thJan 

15th Oct – 

31stJan 

15th Oct – 

31stJan 

Farmyard 

Manure 

1st Nov – 

12th Jan 

1st Nov – 

15th Jan 

1st Nov – 

31st Jan 

1st Nov – 

31st Jan 

APPENDIX G 

79


80 

NOTES

REPS 4: Farmers Handbook - Department of Agriculture

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