Teagasc and the National Parks and Wildlife Service have recently published Farming for Nature: the role of results-based payments is an edited book that collates several Irish experiences of developing and applying results-based approaches for the conservation of farmland biodiversity. Ireland is considered a leader in applying results-based approach to Agri-Environment schemes and this book contains a collection of case-studies from across Ireland detailing the development and practical delivery of such programmes. This includes details such as farm plans, scoring sheets, governance, the role of advisory services and monitoring details. This Locally Led Results-based Approach (LLRBA) does not confine results to ecological parameters but includes links between farming systems, and the social and economic lives of the local communities.
In the policy recommendations in Chapter 8, the report identifies the need for an integrated ecosystem approach ‘Considering that a climate and biodiversity crisis was declared by the Irish government in 2019, then an integrated approach to land management is essential to mitigate climate change while preserving biodiversity and related ecosystem services. Collaboration between a wide range of disciplines: scientists, resource managers, economists, sociologists, policy makers, land owners, industrial and recreational users is needed’.
An Fóram Uisce welcomes this recommendation from Teagasc and NPWS as it supports the Integrated Catchment Management approach being taken in the Priority Areas for Action in the River Basin Management Plan.
