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Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, today announced the opening of applications for the Pig Exceptional Payment Scheme 2 (PEPS2).
In announcing the scheme, Minister McConalogue said:
“As I have consistently stated, our pig farmers are remarkably resilient, but I am acutely aware of the unprecedented challenges they are facing at present. Irish pig farmers, alongside others across the EU, are currently facing a combination of low prices and extraordinarily high input costs. This is why I have targeted €13 million of the €15.8 million EU exceptional aid allocation to support the viability of this important sector. The scheme will assist pig farmers to make the necessary adjustment to the new market situation and support them as much as possible through this period of major disruption."
A total fund of €13 million is being made available for this voluntary demand led scheme for pig farmers who commit to meeting the conditionality which aims to address the immediate market disturbance by incentivising a necessary adjustment and in the longer-term supports food security by assisting these producers to remain viable.
The scheme is funded from Ireland’s EU funds allocation for exceptional adjustment aid to producers in agricultural sectors which have been impacted by Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, as announced by the European Commission on 23rd March last.
Minister of State Martin Heydon, who chairs the Pig Roundtable, added:
“This scheme is part of a package of measures to support the sector, including: the finance instruments co-funded by my department through SBCI, Intensified efforts by Bord Bia to promote quality assured Irish pigmeat in the domestic and export markets, and Teagasc dedicated, ongoing advisory supports."
This scheme is open to commercial pig farmers who have produced more than 200 pigs in the period 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021 inclusive, who are able to meet the eligibility conditions and commit to the conditionality. Payment to each successful applicant will be based on a graduated payment structure depending on the number of pigs slaughtered, exported or sold in the nominated herd during the reference period. A maximum pay rate of €100,000 will apply.
The opening date for applications will be today, 13 June 2022, and the closing date will be 11 July 2022.
Detail of the scheme including information note, terms and conditions and how to apply are available at: Pig Exceptional Payment Scheme 2