Clarification Needed on GAEC-2 Appeals

IFA Rural Development Chair John Curran said the Department of Agriculture has to address farmer concerns and move quickly to clarify the scope of GAEC-2 appeals.

“Details of the GAEC-2 appeals process were released last evening. It seems to infer that appeals are restricted to those who plan new drainage works in 2025, with signed declarations and evidence of planned drainage works required to accompany applications. This is very much at odds with what was briefed to us at both national and stakeholder meetings on this very emotive issue, and as I understand it, what has also been briefed to planners recently. It will cause consternation and annoy many farmers unless quickly clarified,” he said.    

“We understood that soil samples; a planner’s report; and geo-tagged photos may be required, but this is a curveball altogether. All farmers must be given the opportunity to appeal the GAEC-2 status of individual parcels, irrespective of whether lands were ever drained in the past or not, or whether new drainage is planned in 2025 or not. It’s as simple as that,” he said.

“We have been getting calls from farmers for months now since indicative GAEC-2 maps were released saying there is no way individual parcels on their land are GAEC-2 and they will very much be contesting it. They have to be given that opportunity, and where backed by science and soil samples, have the GAEC-2 obligations removed,” he said.

“We have engaged with the DAFM seeking clarification on the issue, and will continue to do until resolved,” John Curran said.