17,000 farmers in Sheep Improvement Scheme to receive balancing payments
The Sheep Improvement Scheme was introduced to enhance animal health and welfare in the sheep sector. The scheme provides financial support to farmers for taking extra steps to improve the welfare of their flock.
Balancing payments are being made to all eligible farmers under year one of the Sheep Improvement Scheme.
The rollout of these 15% balancing payments brings the total amount paid to over 17,020 farmers under the scheme for 2023 to €21.33m.
The 85% advance payment issued to eligible farmers in November 2023.
The Sheep Improvement Scheme was introduced to enhance animal health and welfare in the sheep sector. The scheme provides financial support to farmers for taking extra steps to improve the welfare of their flock.
The scheme is co-funded by the Department of Agriculture and the EU and the payment rate is €12 per ewe.
Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue said that the issuing of this €2.17m in balancing payments is an "important support to sheep farmers providing a financial boost to the individual farmers themselves and the wider rural economy".
“A further 286 new entrants joined the scheme earlier this year bringing total participation in the scheme now to 18,940," Mr McConalogue said.
"Between the support provided under the Sheep Improvement Scheme and National Sheep Welfare Scheme, €20 per ewe is available to sheep farmers in 2024, the highest payment ever made to this important sector.”
Farmers with outstanding queries are urged to respond to the department’s sheep section immediately to facilitate payment. The department will continue to issue payments on an ongoing basis as outstanding queries are resolved.
