Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 May 2023
611. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the target, by year, for the adoption of low emissions slurry spreading (LESS) technology; the intended allocation under TAMS to support same; the target number of farmers in receipt of such funds, by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24455/23]
View answerUnder the Nitrates Regulations, Low Emission Slurry Spreading equipment must be used for the application of slurry on holdings with a previous year’s grassland stocking rates of 150kg nitrogen per hectare. This is from grazing livestock manure or above prior to export of livestock manure from the holding from 1st January 2023 and for all slurry produced by pigs.
From 1st January 2024, all holdings stocked at more than 130kg nitrogen per hectare from grazing livestock manure or above prior to export of livestock manure from the holding are required to use LESS equipment for the application of slurry and this reduces to 100kg nitrogen per hectare from grazing livestock manure from 1st January 2025.
Funding under the TAMS 3 LESS scheme can be sought by farmers for up to one year after the above dates. The LESS scheme is designed to prioritise the eligible farmers with the highest grazing stocking rates. As with all TAMS 3 schemes, there is no specific funding targets as the scheme is demand led and it is open to farmers to decide if they wish to avail of the funding opportunity to purchase LESS equipment.
