Farmers need approval to proceed with modernisation
Farmers who have vital investments to carry out on their farms need urgent approval from the Department of Agriculture to proceed, according to the Irish Farmers Association.
Rural Development Committee chairman Michael Biggins called on Agriculture Minister Michael Creed to issue approvals to farmers who applied for the 16th Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme, which closed in early January.
He said only 80% of applicants have been approved for the last four tranches. Unsuccessful applicants have been carried forward to subsequent tranches.
The carry over of some 311 applications on three occasions means farmers are facing a very uncertain situation with regard to their investments.
Mr Biggins said about €200 million of the €395m allocation in the period 2014 —2020, has been spent so far. This means there is still €195m to spend between now and the end of 2021/early 2022.
Calling for the backlog to be sorted out now, Mr Biggins warned that otherwise, the whole process of carry over will continue until the end of December when the scheme is due to close.
