Press release
Minister McConalogue announces €19 million of payments under the Sheep Improvement Scheme
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, today announced that payments under the Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) have commenced issuing to farmers.
The Minister commented:
“I am delighted to announce that advance payments totalling €19 million have started to issue to 17,000 farmers under the Sheep Improvement Scheme. This is the first year of the new SIS as part of the CAP and builds on the progress made by the Sheep Welfare Scheme by providing increased support for actions that improve animal health and welfare in the sheep sector. The introduction of this scheme further demonstrates the continuing commitment of this government to the sheep sector for the coming years.
“The issuing of payment under the SIS is crucial to the sheep sector and farm families. I know the importance of getting payments out to applicants as quickly as possible. Payments commencing today is a significant milestone achieved and is in line with the date notified to farmers.
“Payments will be visible in farmers’ bank accounts in the coming days. My department will continue to process, as a matter of urgency, all remaining cases for payment as they meet scheme criteria.”
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.
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.
In line with last year’s arrangement, the payments currently issuing are an 85% advance payment on the Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS). The 15% of balancing payments are due to commence in May 2024. Payments may take up to 5 days to reach farmers accounts.
In line with previous years, not all applications are currently cleared for payment under the SIS Scheme. Farmers should submit any outstanding evidence in support of their application to the department’s Portlaoise Office as soon as possible to facilitate the release of payments.