Farmers in Cork to Benefit from 2025 Eco Scheme

Over 11,000 farmers in Cork will benefit from the commencement of advance payments under the 2025 Eco-Scheme, Cork North West Fine Gael TD John Paul O’Shea has said.

Deputy O’Shea said: “This is a clear demonstration of Fine Gael and the Government’s commitment to Rural Ireland. These payments will give financial security to families around the country, as they continue to deliver for the environment and the economy.”

Over 11,000 farmers in Cork will share over €22m as part of this scheme, which Deputy O’Shea says is more than just money -“It is a recognition of the role farmers play in protecting the climate, and biodiversity. Fine Gael has shown real intent in backing initiatives that reward sustainable farming practices.”

Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon said: “I am delighted to confirm that advance payments under the Eco Scheme, worth €194.5 million to 109,853 farmers, have commenced. The aim of Ireland’s Eco-Scheme is to reward farmers for undertaking actions beneficial to the climate, environment, water quality and biodiversity. Eco-Scheme payments are a vital support for farmers and the payment rate in 2025 will be €66 per eligible hectare.” 

The Minister continued: “My Department remains committed to ensuring that all scheme payments continue to issue in the most efficient way possible to ensure that these vital supports are delivered to farmers in a timely manner. Today, 93% of all 2025 Eco-Scheme eligible applicants have been paid in line with the Department’s commitment under the farmers charter to pay 90% of eligible applicants.” 

The €194.5 million payment today builds on the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) advance payment last week of €511 million to over 110,500 farmers meaning that total advance payments on BISS, CRISS and Eco-Scheme over the last week amounts to over €705 million. 

Advance payments under the 2025 Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme (ANC) which commenced last month, and 2025 BISS payments that commenced last week, are continuing as more cases are cleared for payment.

Farmers wishing to contact the Department regarding their Eco-Scheme payments can phone the Direct Payments Helpdesk at 057 8674422. Farmers can also submit any queries they may have online via www.MyAgfood.ie.

Additional Info:

• By close of applications on the 15 May 2025, the Department had received 120,739 applications from farmers for Eco scheme of which at present 118,034 are eligible for payment.

• Payments will continue to issue over the coming weeks as further cases are processed and cleared for payment.

• The EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP) is a partnership between society and agriculture that ensures a stable supply of food, safeguards farmers’ income, protects the environment and keeps rural areas vibrant. EU countries implement the CAP at national level with an adopted CAP Strategic Plan for the period 2023-2027.

• The Eco-Scheme, Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) and Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS) are funded by the EU.