Press release
Minister McConalogue announces the opening of year two of the Sheep Improvement Scheme to new entrants
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, has announced the opening of year two of the Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) to new entrants.
Commenting on the opening of the scheme, Minister McConalogue said:
“This is the second year of the SIS, a scheme supporting animal health and welfare that is building on the progress made by its predecessor, the Sheep Welfare Scheme. The annual opening for new entrants that I have facilitated in this scheme demonstrates the continuing commitment of this government to the sheep sector for the coming years. I welcome the opening of the application process for entry to year two of the Sheep Improvement Scheme for qualifying new entrants and encourage them to apply.”
The SIS is funded under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 and provides support to sheep farmers for carrying out actions that improve animal health and welfare in the sheep sector and has a budget allocation of €100 million.
Applications must be made on agfood.ie. Application opening date is 2 February 2024. Application closing date is 5pm on 29 February 2024.
For the purposes of Year two of the scheme, a new entrant to this scheme is defined as an applicant who has applied for a new flock number within the period from 1 December 2020 to 31 December 2023.
A new entrant can also be an applicant with an existing flock number who has not held or traded in sheep for a three-year period from 1 December 2020 to 30 November 2023.
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 CAP Strategic Plan for the period 2023-2027.
The Sheep Improvement Scheme has been 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 Sheep Improvement Scheme is co-funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the EU. For more information, visit www.gov.ie/cap.