The IFA has urged the Minister for Agriculture to temporarily waive the requirement of completing a health and safety course under the TAMS scheme.
Currently, no health and safety courses are available to farmers due to Covid-19.
IFA rural development chairman, Michael Biggins, said: “While most farmers have the course completed, IFA is aware that there are some who do not.”
“As a result, we are calling on the Minister to provide a temporary concession in order for them to proceed with a payment claim, while giving an undertaking to complete the course when restrictions end.”
Possible disruption to TAMS payments
Biggins went on to make his concerns known about the possibility of a disruption to TAMS payments, saying that any delay would add to cashflow difficulties on farms.
Financial commitments have already been made by many farmers for farm investment and the rural development chairman said it is vital that grants continue to be paid out, as farmers have to pay for work upfront and show these receipts before grant aid is paid by the Department.
MBiggins welcomed the fact that Department TAMS approvals to proceed with work, under tranche 16, are now being issued to 2,600 farmers. However, he said it is disappointing that 660 farmers were rejected and moved to tranche 17, which closes on April 24th.
