In October 2025 the Operational Group led by SECAD have been approved to deliver the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) project ‘The Arable Coast Environment’, on the theme of enhancing habitats for biodiversity in an arable environment, along the coast from South Cork to Wexford.

The ACE is a four-year project that brings together farmers, landowners, local communities, scientists, ecologists, industry, and educators to trial innovative solutions that improve biodiversity in ways that also support farm productivity and value.

Stretching from Kinsale, Co. Cork, to the Wexford Wildfowl Reserve, north of Wexford town, the ACE project focuses on restoring farmland habitats that support birds such as the Yellowhammer, Skylark, Hen Harrier, Kestrel, and Chough—species that have sharply declined due to changes in land use.

Farmers at the heart of innovation

ACE EIP is designed around farmer participation. South Coast farmers are invited to help develop and trial practical solutions that improve biodiversity while also supporting their farms.

Through collaboration with scientists, ecologists, educators, and industry experts, participating farmers will:

• Trial science-based approaches to habitat restoration, water management, and soil health.
• Enhance the environmental credentials of their farms.
• Explore ways to add value to produce grown under biodiversity-friendly systems.
• Share local knowledge to make solutions practical and effective.

“Farmers are central to this project,” said Paul Moore, tillage farmer in east Cork and ACE EIP Project Ambassador. “We want to develop measures that restore habitats in ways that make sense for farm businesses. Supporting biodiversity and running a successful farm can go hand in hand.”

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine together with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will jointly provide funding of €7 million to the ACE EIP over the next four years to cover both administration costs and payments to participating farmers.

Farmers interested in participating in the ACE EIP project are invited to contact SECAD Partnership at: ace-eip@secad.ie or 021 461 43 32

The European Innovative Partnerships (EIP) initiative is co-funded by the European Commission and the Irish Government under the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027.