ICOS joins in dialogue to define farming economy
New grant supports environmentally aware slurry
The Low Emission Slurry Spreading Scheme (LESS) as the fourth of the new Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS) to be launched as part of the new 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme, co-funded by the EU.
The scheme offers grant aid for more environmentally-friendly spreading of slurry, with knock-on benefits for Ireland’s ammonia and climate targets.
Grants in the LESS scheme, which has an indicative budget of €4m, will be subject to an investment ceiling of €40,000, which will not impact on the ceiling of €80,000 across the other TAMS II Schemes.
LESS is designed to complement related GLAS actions on environmentally-friendly application of slurry with shallow injection systems, dribble bars, trailing shoes, and umbilical systems including the base pump lay-flat hose.
The new Animal Welfare, Safety and Storage Scheme includes grants for manure pits, mass concrete tanks, circular slurry stores and circulation pipes for agitation of slurry).
All TAMS applications must be made on-line The Department of Agriculture has published the following TAMS 2 guidelines.
Investments grant aided under TAMS II schemes are contracted to be maintained for a five-year period from the date of payment. The commitment can be taken over by the successor to the holding. However if the successor does not take over the commitment , the original applicant may be liable for re-imbursement of the grant aid paid.
Commitments that are taken over or terminated are considered on a case-by-case basis. In such cases, it is recommended that applicants contact their local AES offices for advice before retiring/selling/leasing/ceasing in farming.
Yes, but this must be notified to your local AES office in advance.
Some schemes have common investments. Applicants cannot claim dual funding for the same investments/measures in separate schemes, and must make a declaration to this effect.
Participation in some previous schemes precludes applicants from joining. for example, a client who received grant aid under the Installation Aid/Young Farmer Investment Scheme is not eligible to join the TAMS II Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme.
Copy folios and/or original stamped lease (plus lease extensions where required) must be provided for each site for all fixed investments. Otherwise your payment will be invalid.
Fixed investments are structures, buildings or equipment permanently fixed in place as opposed to mobile equipment.
Applicants should be familiar with:
Terms and Conditions of the Schemes Relevant specifications Department’s reference costs and explanatory notes hours worked and rates for own labour/machinery (all four of these are at www.agriculture.gov.ie/farmerschemespayments/farmbuildings/ );
Planning permission requirements (consult with your Local Authority) Certificates required supporting the payment claims;
Health and safety requirements (in Annex of the Terms and Conditions);
Declarations you are making as part of your application (Application question online);
Supporting documentation required for an application, and a payment claim (see Terms and Conditions);
Scheme penalties applicable (in Annex of the Terms and Conditions)
Full guidelines are available online at www.agriculture.gov.ie/farmerschemespayments/farmbuildings/LESS details at www.agriculture.gov.ie/farmerschemespayments/farmbuildings/lowemissionslurryspreadingequipmentscheme/
