The Areas of Natural Constraints scheme provides payments to people farming land in designated areas face significant hardships from factors such as remoteness, difficult topography, climatic problems and poor soil conditions.

Support 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.

To qualify for the Areas of Natural Constraints and the Areas of Specific Constraint schemes, you must:

• Submit a BISS application each year declaring the ANC land located within the jurisdiction of Ireland and apply for ANC
• Maintain a minimum stocking density of 0.10 livestock units per forage hectare for 28 consecutive weeks months within the calendar year
• Maintain an annual average stocking density of 0.10 livestock units per forage hectare for the calendar year

The minimum stocking requirement will be based on an applicant’s stocking profile in 2022. Where an applicant did not satisfy the minimum stocking requirement in 2022, they can choose to use their stocking profile in 2023 instead.