Payments under the 2022 €56m Fodder Support Scheme have commenced issuing to over 71,000 farmers; the DAFM has confirmed this afternoon (Wednesday).
The scheme aims to incentivise farmers, in particular drystock farmers, to grow more fodder (silage and/or hay) for the coming winter.
It aims, a statement from the DAFM reads, to ensure Ireland does not encounter any animal welfare issues over the coming winter and next spring.
The maximum area eligible for payment under the scheme is 10 hectares, with a potential maximum payment of €1,000.
Minister McConalogue stated that these payments are an “important” income boost to farmers at this time of year.
He added that they are also a recognition of the increased input costs farmers are facing as a result of the war in Ukraine and the ongoing cost of living crisis.
According to the DAFM, payments will continue to issue to cleared cases on “a regular basis” over the coming weeks.
For all non-cleared cases, once all administrative, compliance, and on-the-spot inspections have been undertaken, the DAFM will make these payments before the end of 2022.
The minister encouraged any farmers with queries in relation to the Fodder Support Scheme to direct them by email to [email protected]
The minister also took the opportunity to remind the 71,000 eligible applicants under the 2022 Fodder Support Scheme that if they wish to apply for the 2023 Fodder Support Scheme, they must do so online by midnight on December 5th, 2022.
Sheep scheme opens
In related news, last week, we reported that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, has announced the launch of the new Sheep Improvement Scheme.
The scheme aims the “build on progress” under the Sheep Welfare Scheme (SWS) in the 2014-2022 Rural Development Programme (RDP).
Payment under the scheme – which is open to farmers with breeding ewes – will be at a rate of €12 per eligible breeding ewe for welfare measures.
This is an increase from the €10 per eligible breeding ewe under the Sheep Welfare Scheme.
Read more on this news article.
