Good Farm Practice Programme
What is the programme?
Sustainable farming poses a particular but not insurmountable challenge for farmer clients. We provide the best science and advice to reconcile the often conflicting demands of a competitive and profitable industry, and environmental regulation.
Developing and Supporting Sustainable Systems of Agriculture
Over half of Teagasc clients participate in REPS and Teagasc is committed to encouraging and supporting a further 10,000 clients to join REPS 4 in the period to 2013.
Sustainable farming poses a particular but not insurmountable challenge for commercial clients. We provide the best science and advice to reconcile the often conflicting demands of a competitive and profitable industry, and environmental regulation.
Key Services
Professional REPS planning and implementation support services including revamped REPS 4 environmental training courses.
Professional fertiliser management planning and support services for the Nitrates Derogation, planning regulation, Local Authority bye laws and tax incentive scheme requirements.
Comprehensive environmental advice and support service to farmers undertaking farmyard renovation and improvement projects including investment scheme requirements.
The range of advisory activities is also designed to raise environmental awareness among farmers generally. The programme embraces water quality protection, emissions reduction and countryside management issues.
Who is the programme for?
The programme is open to all full-time and part-time farm who wish to develop economically and environmentally sustainable systemms.
How can you avail of the service?
The programme is available through any
Teagasc office
What are the costs of the programme?
The Good Farm Practice REPS Planning Service is self-financing. The remaining elements of the Programme are part funded (50%) from National Exchequer sources under the National Development Plan (NDP 2007- 2013). The remaining cost is met by service charges. A full listing of the costs of Teagasc advisory service charges is available online.
Duration
The programme is ongoing under the National Development Plan (NDP 2007 – 2013).
Resources
All Teagasc advisers are involved to a greater or lesser extent in the delivery of the agri-environmental programme. The work ranges from the provision of REPS services on mainly extensive farms to support and advice on the complex Nitrates Derogation issue on our commercial farms.
Teagasc is the largest provider of REPS Services in Ireland. The revamped REPS service is provided by 126 full-time REPS advisers and 134 Good Farm Practice advisers who provide some REPS services as part of their duties. (Business and Technology advisers are not involved with the delivery of REPS services.)
The overall agri-environmental programme is led by a Programme Manager and six national specialists who support the delivery of the programme through the advisers in the field.
Why use the Programme?
As part of a national organisation, Teagasc advisers share a large pool of environmental advisory knowledge and expertise. This, in turn, is supported by our environmental research division at Johnstown Castle. We are now building on our track record and experience by improving the way we deliver services.
Teagasc provides:
- Timely delivery of quality REPS plans, Nitrates Derogation plans, and waste management plans with emphasis on client consultation
- Value for money through use of the most efficient planning and information communications technology
- Quality planning and support services; and
- Timely information and advice on new REPS, nitrates, investment schemes and other relevant topics
Delivering for Drystock
Teagasc’s Good Farm Practice advisers service 15,000 mainly drystock farmers. These advisers deliver on the technology needs of the less commercial farmers. Good Farm Practice advisers also deliver the Options Programme to their clients (see Rural Development Programme leaflet). Additionally, these advisers provide support to clients in applying for a variety of schemes, on-farm investment, installation aid, and farm retirement.
Good Farm Practice advisers also provide the agri-environmental service with a particular focus on REPS. Environmental planning advice including habitat protection and establishment, and increased biodiversity, are an important part of this brief.
Delivery
The programme is provided through a network of 126 REPS and 134 Good Farm Practice advisers located throughout Ireland. These advisers are backed up by additional specialists and researchers when required.
Sean Regan, Programme Manager
sean.regan@teagasc.ie
