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List of Rural Priorities Options

This page lists all the Options available under Rural Priorities.

Please note that if you intend to apply for support for any of these, you will need to demonstrate how the Option(s) will contribute towards the priorities for your region in your particular circumstances. Some Options may be available through a number of regional priorities. If you identify any Option(s) you wish to apply for, you will also have to identify the most relevant regional priorities to deliver the Options selected. If the Option you choose does not deliver the particular Regional Priority you select you may be scored low during the assessment of your case. You must demonstrate how the Option you choose delivers the Regional Priority.

To view the priorities for your region, please select the region from the left hand menu.

There are 3 axes within the European Commission Regulation (EC 1698/2005) on support for rural development:

  • Axis 1 - improving the competitiveness of agriculture and forestry by supporting restructuring, development and innovation.
  • Axis 2 - improving the environment and the countryside by supporting land management.
  • Axis 3 - improving the quality of life in rural areas and encouraging diversification of economic activity.

Each key axis consists of a group of Options with specific goals. You can view the details of each Option by selecting them from the lists below:

Options available under Axis 1

Note: projects that seek funding for Diversification Outwith Agriculture or Development/Creation of Micro-Enterprises are not permissible under Axis 1 (Regional Priorities 1-7) . You must seek funding for these projects under Axis 3 (Regional Priorities 26-30) instead.

  1. Skills Development
  2. Setting up Young Farmers - Interest Rate Relief
  3. Nutrient Management Plan
  4. Soil and Water Management Programme
  5. Restructuring Agricultural Businesses
  6. Manure/Slurry Storage
  7. Manure/Slurry Treatment
  8. Short Rotation Coppice Crops of Willow or Poplar
  9. Renewable Energy - Agriculture
  10. Renewable Energy - Forestry
  11. Improving the Economic Value of Forests
  12. Processing and Marketing of Primary Products
  13. Co-operation - Non Food and Forestry Supply Chain
  14. Provision and Upgrading of Infrastructure
  15. Treat Run-Off of Pollutants - Biobeds
  16. Treat Run-Off of Pollutants - Farm Wetlands

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Options available under Axis 2

  1. Conversion and Maintenance of Organic Farming
  2. Wild Bird Seed Mix/Unharvested Crop
  3. Mown Grassland For Wildlife
  4. Mown Grassland For Corn Buntings
  5. Mown Grassland For Corncrakes
  6. Grazed Grassland For Corncrakes
  7. Creation And Management of Cover For Corncrakes
  8. Management Of Cover For Corncrakes
  9. Open Grazed Or Wet Grassland For Wildlife
  10. Mammal and Bird Control
  11. Supplementary Food Provision For Raptors
  12. Wardening For Golden Eagles
  13. Control of Invasive Non-Native Species
  14. Management of Species Rich Grassland
  15. Bracken Management Programme for Habitat Enhancement
  16. Creation and Management of Species Rich Grassland
  17. Management of Habitat Mosaics
  18. Management of Wetland
  19. Create, Restore and Manage Wetland
  20. Management/Restoration of Lowland Raised Bogs
  21. Water Margins and Enhanced Riparian Buffer Areas
  22. Management of Flood Plains
  23. Buffer Areas for Fens and Lowland Raised Bogs
  24. Coastal or Serpentine Heath
  25. Lowland Heath
  26. Wildlife Management on Upland and Peatland Sites
  27. Management of Moorland Grazing
  28. Moorland Grazings on Uplands and Peatlands
  29. Moorland - Stock Disposal
  30. Away-Wintering of Sheep
  31. Off-Wintering of Sheep
  32. Muirburn and Heather Swiping
  33. Management of Hedgerows
  34. Extended Hedges
  35. Grass Margins and Beetlebanks
  36. Biodiversity Cropping on In-Bye
  37. Cropped Machair
  38. Management of Ancient Wood Pasture
  39. Scrub and Tall Herb Communities
  40. Arable Reversion to Grassland
  41. Habitat Grazing Management
  42. Livestock Tracks, Gates and River Crossings
  43. Conservation Management for Small Units
  44. Grazing Management of Cattle
  45. Woodland Creation
  46. Sustainable Management of Forests
  47. Woodland Improvement Grant

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Options available under Axis 3

  1. Diversification Outwith Agriculture
  2. Support for Renewable Energy - Non Land-Based
  3. Development/Creation of Micro-Enterprises
  4. Information & Awareness Raising
  5. Area Access Management
  6. Reducing Bacterial Contamination in Watercourses
  7. Community Services and Facilities
  8. Management of Archaeological or Historical Sites
  9. Management and Repair of Vernacular Buildings
  10. Enjoyment of Rural Landscapes
  11. Skills Development to Improve Quality of Life
  12. Collaborative Local Development Strategies

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Page updated: Monday, July 6, 2009