Glas - New Agri Environmental Scheme

GLAS is the new agri-environment scheme, part of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. GLAS (Green, Low-Carbon, Agri-Environment Scheme) was opened to farmers in February 2015. Ireland’s total allocation for rural development is some €2.19 billion. 

The RDP 2014-2020 will be a key support in enhancing the competitiveness of the agri-food sector, achieving more sustainable management of natural resources and ensuring a more balanced development of rural areas. GLAS will focus in particular on the preservation of habitats and species, climate change mitigation and water quality.

The scheme is green as it preserves our traditional hay meadows and low-input pastures; low-carbon as it retains the carbon stocks in soil through margins, habitat preservation and practices such as minimum tillage; and, agri-environment as it promotes agricultural actions, which introduce or continue to apply agricultural production methods compatible with the protection of the environment, water quality, the landscape and its features, endangered species of flora and fauna and climate change mitigation.

GLAS will allow eligible farmers to draw down up to €5,000 annually, with an additional €2,000 per annum open to those eligible for GLAS+, in return for exceptional environmental commitment. Farmers with PEAs (Priority Environmental Assets and Actions) will get first priority for entry into the scheme. PEAs include Natura 2000 sites (SACs and SPAs), farmland bird habitats for Twite, breeding waders, Chough, Geese/Swans, Corncrake, Grey Partridge and Hen Harrier and Commonages.

Further information about the scheme is available from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine website http://agriculture.gov.ie/farmerschemespayments/glas/.