A new agri-environment scheme has been announced for the Burren.
The initiative, which is being introduced under a new locally-led measure of the Rural Development Plan, will focus on the conservation of the unique farming landscapes in Clare and Galway.
The new agri-environment scheme, which has been announced by the Minister For Agriculture, will offer five year contracts to conservation-conscious farmers in the region.
Negotiations with the EU Commission on the introduction of the scheme are at an advanced stage and its hoped the scheme will be up and running in 2016.
It focuses on conserving the Burren's unique farming landscape while building on the success of similar schemes piloted under the Burren LIFE Project and the Burren Farming for Conservation Programme.
Meanwhile, further work is being carried out on identifying other schemes to be included under the new locally-led umbrella of the Rural Development Plan later in 2016 and into 2017.
Freshwater Pearl Mussel catchments, Hen Harrier habitats and peat uplands are all candidates for support under the new scheme, and its believed other candidates will emerge from a wider competitive process.
