Farmers participating in Ireland’s Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) have been reminded to complete their 2026 Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) annual declaration before the deadline. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine says the online return is now available through MyAgfood.ie.
The notice follows the end of the 2026 slurry spreading season on 7 October. The ACRES LESS 2026 declaration applies to participants whose scheme contract includes the Low Emission Slurry Spreading action.
ACRES LESS 2026 deadline for farmers
The deadline for submitting the ACRES LESS 2026 return is Monday, 2 November 2026. Farmers can complete the declaration themselves online, or ask their approved ACRES adviser to submit it on their behalf.
The submission portal is available through the Department’s MyAgfood.ie platform. Participants should ensure that their return is completed accurately and submitted before the closing date.
- Scheme: Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES)
- Action: Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS)
- Return year: 2026
- Submission deadline: 2 November 2026
- Online platform: MyAgfood.ie
Why the LESS return matters
Failure to complete and submit the annual declaration may delay the farmer’s 2026 ACRES advance payment. It may also lead to the LESS action being rejected from the participant’s ACRES contract.
Farmers are therefore advised not to leave the submission until the final day. Checking access to MyAgfood.ie and contacting an ACRES adviser early may help avoid last-minute difficulties.
Read more
Follow further updates on Irish government schemes and agricultural support from Daily Digest.
Where to send ACRES LESS queries
The Department has provided separate email addresses based on the participant’s ACRES contract type and start date:
- ACRES General contracts beginning 1 January 2023: ACRES@agriculture.gov.ie
- ACRES Co-operation contracts beginning 1 January 2023: ACRESCP@agriculture.gov.ie
- ACRES contracts beginning 1 January 2024: ACRESTranche2@agriculture.gov.ie
When contacting the Department, farmers should clearly identify the relevant contract type and explain the issue affecting their annual declaration.
Explore more
For wider coverage of Ireland agriculture news and rural policy updates, visit Media Digest. Readers can also explore Irish climate, environment and countryside stories on Luxe Digest.
What farmers should do now
- Log in to MyAgfood.ie.
- Open the ACRES LESS annual declaration for 2026.
- Complete and review the required information.
- Submit the return before 2 November 2026.
- Contact the correct Department email address if assistance is needed.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine issued the reminder on 19 October 2026. The announcement forms part of the wider implementation of Ireland’s agricultural climate and environmental measures.
Key takeaway
ACRES participants with the LESS action should submit their ACRES LESS 2026 declaration through MyAgfood.ie by 2 November. Missing the deadline could delay the 2026 advance payment and put the LESS action in the contract at risk.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
