NPWS Farm Plan Audits 2021

Tender description

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), part of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH), provides the legislative and policy framework for the conservation of nature and biodiversity in the Republic of Ireland. It also oversees its implementation, based on good science, with particular emphasis on the protection of habitats and species through, among other means, the designation and conservation of sites under EU Directives and national legislation. One of the primary mechanisms for delivering conservation measures by the National Parks & Wildlife Service is the NPWS Farm Plan Scheme. Since its formal launch in 2006, over 800 NPWS Farm Plans have been approved and these plans have been instrumental in designing national agri-environment schemes and programmes. One of the main objectives of the NPWS Farm Plan Scheme is to trial novel approaches to farming for the environment, to safeguard particular sites, habitats and species, and to work towards meeting conservation measures required under the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. To ensure the integrity of the NPWS Farm Plan Scheme are upheld, a percentage of plans are audited annually, to ensure standards are being met and maintained and that all administrative and technical requirements are in order.