environmentalreport-DepartmentofAgriculture.doc

STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE DRAFT RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME Circa Group Europe Abbreviations The Regulation Unless indicated otherwise this refers to Regulation 1698/2005 BMW Border Midland and Western Region BWI Bird Watch Ireland CAs Designated Areas (Less Favoured Areas) Compensatory Amounts CAP RDP CAP Rural Development Programme 2000-06 CBS Countryside Bird Survey CHP Combined Heat and Power DAF Department of Agriculture and Food DCGRA Department of Community Gaeltacht and Rural Affairs DELG Department of Environment and Local Government EAFRD European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development EAGGF European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EPA Environmental protection Agency ERS Early Retirement Scheme FFI Family Farm Income GFP Code of Good Farmer Practice IAS Young Farmer Installation Aid Scheme LAG Local Area Groups LEADER EU Community Initiative for rural development LFAs Less Favoured Areas, Designated Areas LU Livestock Units NDP National Development Programme NFS National Farm Survey NHA Natural Heritage Area NSS National Spatial Strategy RD Strategy Rural Development National Strategy Plan 2007-13 RBD River Basin District RDP Rural Development Plan REPS Rural Environment Protection Scheme SAC Special Areas of Conservation SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment SE South and Eastern Region SFP Single Farm Payment SPA Special Protection Area UAA Utilisable Agricultural Area WFD Water Framework Directive TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 1 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 3. SUMMARY OF THE DRAFT RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 7 4. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OBJECTIVES 7 5. BASELINE ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION 7 6. DESCRIPTION OF AXES AND MEASURES PROPOSED FOR EACH AXIS 7 7. IDENTIFYING ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS 7 8. AXIS 1: IMPROVING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF THE AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTRY SECTOR 7 9. AXIS 2 IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE COUN