Flexibilities for existing approvals in response to Covid also announced

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D. today confirmed the continuation of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) with Tranche 21 of the scheme to open on 16th January and close on 16th April 2021. The scheme provides grants for on-farm capital investment.

The Minister commented

“I am delighted to announce the continuation of TAMS beyond the current tranche. The current Tranche 20 of the scheme is due to close this Friday and Tranche 21 will open immediately afterwards on Saturday 16th January. 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. 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 amendments to the scheme for the new tranche opening 16 January which will have the following changes:

• The addition of investments for calf welfare. This means the investments previously available under the Calf Investment Scheme will be included under TAMS now;

• GPS spreaders to be now available for all categories of applicants. Previously these were only available to tillage applicants under the scheme;

• In line with the rules for derogtation farmers introduced last year, this cohort of farmers are no longer eligble to apply for support for LESS equipment.

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 Minister commented,

"It is essential that farming continues at this time while being mindful of the public health measures. I have introduced some flexibilities to the scheme arrangements to reflect the fact that certain practices are not possible at this time and alternative arrangements are required.”

The flexibilities included are as follows:

• 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.

Note for Editors:

Further details on the TAMS II measures are available on the Departments website at

www.gov.ie/en/service/targeted-agriculture-modernisation-schemes/

ENDS

Minister McConalogue announces the continuation of TAMS with new tranche to commence next week

Flexibilities for existing approvals in response to Covid also announced