The EU has approved a new agri-environment scheme for Ireland.
It will benefit up to 10,000 farmers and will provide a maximum payment of €5,000.
Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith said the environment scheme will be focused on the priority areas of biodiversity, climate change and water management.
Mr Smith said a number of new on-farm investment schemes have been given the go-ahead as well.
These include measures for dairy and sheep farmers, pig and poultry welfare measures and a water conservation scheme. Funding of establishment grants for bio-energy crops is also envisaged.
