From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
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Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, T.D., today announced the commencement of the 15% balancing payments to all eligible farmers under year 1 (2023) of the Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS).
The rollout of these balancing payments brings the total amount paid to over 17,020 farmers under the SIS for 2023 to €21.33 million, providing a significant financial boost to the individual farmers, the sheep sector in general and the wider rural economy. The 85% advance payment issued to eligible farmers in November 2023.
The Minister stated:
“The first year of the Sheep Improvement Scheme has seen over 17,000 sheep farmers receive payments under the scheme, which built on the success of its predecessor the Sheep Welfare Scheme in the previous CAP. The issuing of this €2.17m in SIS balancing payments is an important support to sheep farmers providing a financial boost to the individual farmers themselves and the wider rural economy.”
The Minister added:
“A further 286 new entrants joined the SIS earlier this year bringing total participation in the scheme now to 18,940. The introduction of the Sheep Improvement Scheme in 2023 combined with the rollout of the National Sheep Welfare Scheme in 2024 demonstrates the commitment of this government to supporting sheep farmers. Between the support I have provided under the SIS and National Sheep Welfare Scheme, €20 per ewe is available to sheep farmers in 2024, the highest payment ever made to this important sector.”
In concluding, the Minister urged any farmers with outstanding queries to respond to the Department’s sheep section immediately to facilitate payment and confirmed that the Department will continue to issue payments on an ongoing basis as outstanding queries are resolved.
He also reminded and urged participants to take due care and time in carrying out the actions they have selected under both the Sheep Improvement Scheme and the National Sheep Welfare Scheme in 2024 and to accurately record them within the Action Record sheets provided by the Department.
ENDS
National Sheep Welfare Scheme
The National Sheep Welfare Scheme opened for applications on 8 April 2024 and closed on 21 May 2024 but will remain open for late applications albeit with a penalty up to 15 June 2024. The scheme has a budget of €15 million and just over 17,000 farmers have applied to join the scheme. The payment rate is up to €8 per ewe. Participants in the scheme are required to complete two actions to receive the full payment per ewe.
Sheep Improvement Scheme
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. It builds on the success of its predecessor in the previous CAP, the Sheep Welfare Scheme.
The Sheep Improvement Scheme is co-funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the EU and the payment rate is €12 per ewe.
The EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP) is a partnership between society and agriculture that ensures a stable supply of food, safeguards farmers’ income, protects the environment and keeps rural areas vibrant. EU countries implement the CAP at national level with a tailored CAP Strategic Plan for the period 2023-2027.