Under the Rural Development Programme for the 2014-2020 the following investments have been identified as priority areas to be targeted in the new TAMS measure:
- young farmer capital investments,
- dairy equipment,
- low emission slurry spreading equipment,
- organic capital investment,
- animal welfare and farm safety (specifically beef and sheep handling facilities) farm nutrient storage and animal housing, and
- pig and poultry investments in energy, water meters and medicine dispensers.
I have already launched the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme and, most recently, the Dairy Equipment Scheme which is available to all farmers, including older farmers. This Scheme provides grant-aid at a rate of 40% for investments in milking machines, milk storage and cooling equipment including silos and in-parlour feeding systems. Under the Animal Welfare, Farm Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme, which will be launched over the summer, I intend to provide grant-aid for a very wide range of investments, including animal housing, slatted sheds and slurry storage. As with the Dairy Equipment Scheme, this new scheme will be available to all farmers offering a standard rate of aid of 40%. I will also be launching a special on-farm capital investment scheme for Organic farmers, again with a 40% rate of aid, and providing for a very wide range of investment possibilities, including housing. This scheme also will be available to all organic farmers, irrespective of age.