Farmers participating in the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) have been reminded of the final dates for the voluntary training course under the scheme.

The Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) has advised farmers in tranche 1 of ACRES that the last date on which they may attend the training course is March 31, 2026.

The training courses are arranged and held by approved ACRES trainers, who are listed on the department's website.

If farmers are interested in attending a course by the end of March, the department said they should indicate such interest to an approved trainer within the next couple of weeks.

The last date on which ACRES tranche 2 participants (those who were accepted into the scheme from January 1, 2024) may attend a voluntary ACRES training course is December 31, 2026.

DAFM

ACRES is the flagship agri-environment scheme under Ireland’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan for the period 2023-2027.

The ACRES Training Scheme (ATS) is co-funded by the national exchequer and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).

ACRES participants were required to attend a mandatory ACRES training course within a specified timeframe.

The training courses which are currently being provided are voluntary courses farmers may avail of in their third year of the scheme.

The department extended the final date by which tranche 1 farmers may attend a course due to the large number accepted in the initial round of the scheme.

According to DAFM, the objectives of the training scheme are to:

Increase farmers’ understanding of climate change, the impact of farming activities on natural resources and the protection of biodiversity at farm level;
Outline how the actions undertaken as part of ACRES will address the environmental, climate and biodiversity related challenges;
Educate farmers on how to appropriately implement the ACRES actions.

The department said farmers will only be reimbursed for satisfactory attendance at one mandatory ACRES training course and at one voluntary training course over the lifetime of the scheme.