479. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of hectares of peat land designated as areas of natural constraint land; and the number of hectares in each category. [67129/26]

GAEC 2 is a mandatory condition of the payment of the Basic Income Support for farmers (BISS). Its objective is to protect wetlands and peatlands – high carbon soils. The standard provides for a baseline protection for carbon rich soils, while allowing agricultural activity to continue. Parcels with areas of 50% or more peat soil are determined as applicable to GAEC 2.

The Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme is a support measure for farmers under Article 71 of Regulation (EU) No 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 2 December 2021 (Natural or other area-specific constraints).

Support under ANC (excluding off-shore islands) is provided based on the following categories of land:

Category 1 land: The system of farming prevalent in Category 1 is characterised by extensive farming practices focused on livestock management on higher ground.

Category 2 land: The system of farming prevalent in Category 2 is characterised by extensive livestock grazing practices on lower ground.

Category 3 land: The system of farming prevalent in Category 3 is less extensive in nature and characterised by grazing livestock enterprises.

Based on 2024 claim data the area of GAEC 2 (peatland) designated as ANC per category is set out below:

Note that figures for GAEC2 land within the Islands category (11,899ha) are not available at this time.