The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, today announced a deferral of one month to the date for closing off of Traditional Hay Meadows under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS).

 The Minister said that “due to the unprecedented weather conditions experienced in the first quarter of 2013 and especially in March, resulting in severe shortages in animal fodder, deferring the closing off date for traditional hay meadows from 15 April 2013 to 15 May 2013 is justified due to the exceptional circumstances”.

 The Minister reminded AEOS scheme participants who have selected the Traditional Hay Meadow option and who wish to avail of this easement, that they must observe in full all other AEOS scheme requirements regarding the Traditional Hay Meadows option as set out in the AEOS specification.

Date Released: 10 April 2013