It is proposed under the On-Farm Capital investment scheme under the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) that a general grant rate of 40% will be available for eligible investments. It is also proposed in the CSP that eligible female farmers, who meet the eligibility criteria may qualify for grant aid at a rate of 60%. An individual investment ceiling of €90,000 or a ceiling of €160,000 in the case of a partnership application is proposed.
The proposed that eligible female farmers are those:
- Aged between 18 years of age and 55 at any time during the calendar year in which she submits an application for support;
- Meet the conditions for being 'head and having control of the entire holding';
- Meets the requirements for the appropriate training and/or skills required at the time of application.
Female applicants who do not meet the criteria above will remain eligible to submit an application under the On-Farm Capital investment scheme at the standard rate of 40%.
I believe that this measure will act as a catalyst in driving greater levels of farm transfer to daughters or nieces, something we have not seen enough of.