Horticulture Exceptional Payment Scheme ( HEPS)

The Horticulture Exceptional Payment Scheme (HEPS) is a support measure that will be provided in the form of a once-off payment to growers in those horticulture sub-sectors most affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The subsectors at most risk and included under this Scheme include commercial growers in the glasshouse high-wire crops, field vegetable, mushroom and apple sectors. It is designed to ensure the short-term security and thus the long-term viability of these sectors.

To be eligible for consideration under the HEPS Scheme applicants must meet the following key conditions:

• Be a commercial horticulture primary producer currently producing, in Ireland, one or more of the following crops in line with good commercial practice:

- Glasshouse high-wire crops (tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers)

- Mushrooms

- Field vegetables (eligible crops listed in Appendix 1)

- Apples for the desert, culinary and processing markets

• Have an annual turnover of €50,000 or more. You must include your latest set of accounts with your application.
• Provide evidence of compliance with one or more of the following conditionality criteria:

- On the date of application, be a certified member of the Bord Bia Sustainable Horticulture Assurance Scheme (SHAS) or equivalent alternative scheme e.g. Global Gap

- Be a certified organic horticulture producer

- Provide documentary proof of engagement in one or more activities relating to one or more of the following: the circular economy, nutrient management, efficient use of resources and environmental and climate friendly production methods

• Have an up-to-date registration with the DAFM as a Food Business Operator (FBO).
• In the case of vegetable crops, have submitted a BPS application in 2022.
• Be aged eighteen years or over on date of submission of the application for participation.
• Have a submitted a completed application form with associated documentation by midnight 24th June 2022.

The total fund available for this Scheme is €2.8 million. The indicative allocations for the different subsectors are as follows:

• High-wire crops: €1,000,000

• Mushrooms: €600,000

• Field vegetable: €1,000,000

• Apples: €200,000

Payments to growers of high-wire crops, field vegetables and apples will be made on an area basis (per hectare) for crops being grown in 2022. For mushrooms, payments will be calculated on the level of mushrooms sold and will be based on the quantity (weight in kg) of mushrooms sold over the period from 1st January 2022 to 30th April 2022.

The rate of payment to growers of mushrooms, field vegetables and apples will depend on the number of eligible applicants and the total area applied for in the case of field vegetables and apples and the overall quantity of production applied for in the case of mushrooms. Payment will be capped at €100,000 per beneficial owner.

You must read the terms and conditions

Completed applications forms with associated documentation should be emailed to: HEPS@agriculture.gov.ie

The deadline for receipt of applications is midnight 24th June 2022.