29 May 2025

Benefiting from the Farming for Water EIP on tillage farms

Funding of up to €9,160 per farm is available to plant catch crops in Priority Areas for Action under the Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP).

The key environmental benefits of catch crops are reducing nitrate leaching, soil erosion and phosphorus (P) run-off.

The scheme requirements include:

1. Establish a catch crop using non-inversion techniques – ploughing is not allowed.
2. The minimum area is 0.5ha – the maximum area for payment is 40ha.
3. No penalties if less or no area sown – paid on the area declared after sowing.
4. No dual funding with Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) catch crops.
5. ACRES-approved seed and seed rates to be used – all invoices/seed receipts to be retained on farm for five years (separate to ACRES invoices/seed receipts).

Payment rate:

• After spring crops – €229/ha/year (September 1 to January 1),
• After winter crops – €173/ha/yr (August 1 to September 30).

For further details, contact your Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP) or tillage advisor.

The above article by Teagasc Crops Specialist, Ciaran Collins first appeared in the Teagasc Tillage Advisory Newsletter for May (PDF).

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