Good Practice - Project
Supporting Ireland’s Rare Breeds
Offering support to maintain and possibly increase populations of specific rare breeds under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 of Ireland.
General information
RDP Priority
- P4. Ecosystems management
RDP Focus Area
- 4A: Biodiversity restoration, preservation & enhancement
RDP Measure
- M10: Agri-environment-climate
Summary
Ireland’s farmers have introduced more profitable / efficient breeds, e.g. the Holstein-Friesian, at the expense of Irish indigenous (native) stock. These now rare breeds, however, may have genetic traits that, if targeted, could potentially offer added benefits or essentially become a game-changer for the agricultural industry.
The Irish Green, Low-Carbon, Agri-Environmental Scheme (GLAS) offers farmers an option to choose rare breeds as part of their on-farm GLAS Plan. The objective of this action is to encourage the maintenance of – and where possible increase – populations of specific rare breeds to ensure their long-term survival.
Results
Currently, there are 49 119 active GLAS participants, and 2 % of farmers active in GLAS have selected the rare breed option as part of their GLAS Plan (approximately 980 farmers).
Promoter
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Funding
Maximum Livestock unit’s payable under GLAS is 10 LU at a rate of 200 (EUR)/LU/year
Keywords
Ressources
Documents
gp_ie_rare_breeds_576_web_fin_0.pdf
(PDF – 357.83 Ko)
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