€8m available in grants for water conservation

UP to €8 million of grant aid is on offer up to 2014 to farmers who invest in water conservation and reduce water costs by maximising use of rainfall run-off.

The grant scheme for rainwater harvesting facilities and equipment is open to farmers who have between 30 and 1,000 production units, but is targeted, in the first instance, at young trained dairy farmers.

The rainwater harvesting facilities and equipment will be grant-aided at 40%, for investment up to €25,000 per farm (maximum grant is €10,000)..