Calls made to improve aid for sheds
ICSA sheep chairman John Brooks welcomed clarification that existing sheds can be converted into slatted sheds under TAMS 2, the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme.
“At last, we are seeing some signs of a common sense approach to cost-effective investment on farms,” he said.
However, Mr Brooks said some farmers might find a safe and practical design for converting to a slatted shed. But there are many others who have existing slatted or loose sheds which need to be upgraded.
“This kind of work urgently needs to be done on many farms and it would be much more beneficial for many cattle and sheep farmers for whom new buildings are out of the question,” he said.
Mr Brooks said grants that are practical and cost-effective for the majority of farmers are needed.
Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney, in a Dáil reply to Fianna Fáil spokesman Éamon Ó Cuív, said the conversion of existing sheds to slatted units is already provided for in certain circumstances under TAMS 2.
In the case of existing loose houses, grant aid is available for installing slurry tanks and slats, he said.
