Hill Farming Council Report July 2025

Market Report 

ACRES

• To 30^th June, €225.27m advance 2024 payments have been issued to 52,394 farmers. This represents 97% of all ACRES participants, with 1586 still outstanding [Note: 514 of these are also waiting on balancing 2023 payment]. 
• Payment runs continue to issue weekly. 
• Some of the issues behind delayed payment include: Contract and ownership / partnership issues; Issues with scorecards (incorrect score, scorecards not submitted, alignment of scorecards with BISS data); Non-alignment of ACRES data with latest BISS information; DAFM IT issues; non-submission of LESS/Soil Sample; Rare Breed certification; non-completion of mandatory education requirements. 
• Balancing 2024 payments commenced in mid-May 2025, with 94% of applicants receiving payment
• Scoring for 2025 commenced in June, with all scorecards to be submitted by 31^st August. Approx 125,000 have been issued by DAFM.
• Decisions on second round of NPI’s expected end April 2025. DAFM working on developing NPI claims & payments system currently – expected fully functional for payments end Q3/4 2025. 
• Landscape Actions currently being designed/costed. Expected open for applications Q3/4 2025.

Comhairle na Tuaithe

IFA continues to participate on Comhairle na Tuaithe and many of its sub-groups:

• SIOG: Annual Report due end Sept. Actions broadly progressing positively.
• SURS: MAP Expansion: EoI & feedback given (Errigal; Comeragh; Croagh Patrick). Currently being finalised. Pilot Uplands Recreation Scheme has commenced in McGillicuddy Reeks
• Infrastructure Development: working on principles & case studies
• Responsible Behaviour: Work continues on Responsible Behaviour in Outdoors message. Study completed by Design Works and the Behaviouralists and final draft issued to members for feedback. Comms strategy outlined with messages focusing on three main cohorts of users; the unaware, the unengaged and the uncaring. A dedicated meeting to discuss the Comhairle position on dogs in the outdoors will take place in July. Representatives from the IFA Sheep Committee will also be in attendance. 
• As part of the delivery of Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, a contractor has just been appointed to undertake a research project to evaluate the economic, health (mental and physical), social, and environmental impacts and benefits of outdoor recreation. This work will directly support delivery of action 6.7 in the Strategy by providing robust evidence to inform future investment, policy development, and promotion of outdoor recreation opportunities.

Walks Scheme

• There are now 164 trails, involving 2,850 landholders, supported under the initiative.
• Additional funding of €465,000 was announced by Minister Calleary to enhance and upgrade 49 walking trails across the country.

National Outdoor Recreation Conference

• IFA was represented at the conference by the Chairman who participated in a discussion panel titled ‘Responsible Behaviour in the Outdoors’ alongside other key stakeholders such as Design works, Sport Ireland & Failte Ireland. Key issues addressed included dogs, permissive access and littering. The ‘Recreation in Ireland’s Outdoors’ booklet has also been updated and launched at National Outdoor Recreation Conference. 

Activity since last Council

• Meeting of the IFA Hill Committee in Irish Farm Centre
• Attended Responsible Behaviour Subgroup (online)
• Online meeting with Sports Ireland re draft Behaviourist Report on Responsible Behaviour in the Outdoors
• Attended meeting of Sustainable Uplands Recreation Scheme Subgroup
• Attended quarterly Comhairle na Tuaithe meeting in Avondale, Co. Wicklow
• Attended the Wild Atlantic Nature Advisory Group meeting in Westport, Co. Mayo 
• Met with representatives of Leave no Trace to discuss New Strategic Plan for Leave No Trace Ireland 2025 – 2029 
• Participated in the National Outdoor Recreation Conference in Co. Limerick. 
• Attended meetings of the Designated Area Monitoring Committee on two occasions, alongside members of the SAC Project Team 

Upcoming Issues

• Attend ‘Farming for the future Leaders’ Forum’ re Nature Restoration Law on 9^th July
• Next meeting of Comhairle na Tuaithe on 2^nd October
• Continue to participate in various CnT subgroups
• Attended dedicated CnT meeting on Dog Control on 24^th July 
• Teagasc Uplands Symposium will take place over two days, 2-3^rd September in Co. Antrim