The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Continuation of calf welfare scheme ‘welcome news’
THE continuation of the Calf Investment Scheme under the TAMS programme is welcome news for farmers, a Fine Gael Senator has said.
Seanad spokesperson on Agriculture, Senator Tim Lombard, said farmers around the country welcome clarity that the scheme will continue after a previous announcement had ruled it out.
Senator Lombard said: “2,500 farmers applied for the scheme last year. It probably would have been more if there was more time to apply.
“I was somewhat surprised to hear there would be no scheme in place for 2021 in November, as I think most of the farming community was.
“I raised the issue repeatedly with the Agriculture Minister over the last number of weeks and I am delighted that this valuable investment will now continue under a new guise.
“The Calf Investment Scheme was extremely successful because it delivered practical measures and was very farmer friendly.
“I am delighted this valuable programme will remain in place for Irish farmers,” Senator Lombard concluded.
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue confirmed the continuation of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) with Tranche 21 of the scheme opening on January 16 and set to close on April 16, 2021. The scheme provides grants for on-farm capital investment, including the Calf Investment Scheme, which is focused on calf welfare.
“This is part of our transitional measures to provide supports to farmers across our RDP schemes this year and I am delighted to have been able to secure funding for this crucial scheme,” said Minister McConalogue. “I have been very clear that continuity is very important and this is part of that commitment. TAMS has been hugely successful to date with over €265m in grant aid paid out and I would encourage all existing applicants with approvals to submit their payment claims as soon as they are complete.”
The Minister also announced some flexibilities for existing TAMs approvals in response to COVID-19 issues. These flexibilities are being introduced to make it easier for farmers and their agents to continue to participate in this important scheme where difficulties arise from the current public health restrictions in place.
The flexibilities included are: · flexibility on TAMS completion deadlines – all TAMS projects due for completion (or approvals due to expire) between 1 January and 1 April 2021 may be extended by 3 months; · the date for the submission of TAMS payment claims due to be submitted before 1 April 2021 may also be extended by 3 months.
Approved participants who wish to avail of these extensions may contact the local office from which their approval issued who will provide approval for the required extension.