European Communities (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Agriculture) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 456 of 2011).

These Regulations provide compliance with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive 85/337/EEC as amended insofar as it applies to certain categories of on-farm activities. They make provision for a statutory screening and consent system for these activities and also for environmental impact assessment for such development if it is likely to have a significant effect on the environment. The Regulations apply to: (a) restructuring of rural land holdings, (b) commencing to use uncultivated land or semi-natural areas for intensive agriculture, or (c) land drainage works on lands used for agriculture, but only if (a) the area of land exceeds the thresholds set out in Part A of Schedule 1, (b) the activity is likely to have a significant effect on the environment, (c) the activity is likely to have a significant effect on a European site (as defined), (d) the activity is likely to impact adversely on an natural heritage area or a nature area, or (e) the activity is likely to damage a monument. A person shall not carry out an activity or cause or permit another person to carry out an activity, other than in accordance with a screening decision or a consent. The Minister may serve a notice prohibiting all or part of unauthorized work with immediate effect. An EIS required under Regulation 9 shall contain at least the information set out in Schedule 3.