Vol. 551 No. 4
105 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the level of grant aid available from his Department for the establishment of a business collecting dead or fallen animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10775/02]
Under the capital grant scheme for animal carcase disposal funded by my Department under the national development plan, grant aid is available to collectors of fallen animals for investments in facilities for the handling and storage of fallen animals. Aid is also available for improvements in waste water collection and treatment at knackeries. The grant aid is part of the overall policy of establishing a comprehensive and modern animal collection service in the country.
The scheme provides for grant aid of 40% of approved eligible costs in southern and eastern regions up to a maximum grant of €50,790 and grant aid of 50% of approved eligible costs is available in the Border, midland and western regions up to a maximum grant of €63,487. Investment projects will be subject to an assessment-selection process.
Applicants must be licensed in accordance with the European Communities (Knackery) Regulations, 1996 – S.I. No. 396 of 1996.
The closing date for receipt of applications under this scheme was 15 March 2002.
