The Pearl Mussel Project has published its third annual report detailing the project’s actions for the period June 2020 to June 2021.
This EIP-AGRI project aims to design and implement a voluntary results-based agri-environmental scheme that will help improve the quality of watercourses to protect the endangered freshwater pearl mussel. The latest annual report summarises the work undertaken by the Pearl Mussel Project during the third year of the project.
Some major milestones highlighted in this latest report include:
- Over €1.6 million in payments issued to 473 participant farmers during the year.
- Over 34,000ha of farmland assessed and scored during summer 2020.
- Over 80% of eligible farmland in catchments participating in programme.
- 100% retention of participants between 2020 and 2021.
- Additional 19 new contract offers issued in May 2021.
- Continuing to support and work with 61 approved farm advisors.
- 174 Annual Work Plans with approved farm actions issued to farmers.
- Farmers have completed over 240 supporting actions leading to improved environmental outcomes.
The report also provides an overview of farmer recruitment, training, scoring and payments, as well as programme design, monitoring and research. More information on these topics and the next steps for the Pearl Mussel Project in 2022 is available to access here: Pearl Mussel Project Annual Report June 2020 to June 2021
More information on the Pearl Mussel Project is available here.
