The Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) provides grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings.
The scheme acknowledges and addresses the need for investment in all farming sectors, including the pig sector. Specifically with regard to the pig sector, I have increased the investment ceiling from €200,000 in TAMS II to €500,000 in TAMS 3, via the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme. This is significantly higher than the ceilings in place in other farming sectors, and reflects the high cost of investment required in the pig sector.
I also recently announced that 100% of eligible applications under tranche 1 of TAMS 3 will be approved for funding, which is in keeping with the commitment to assist farmers to address animal welfare, climate and sustainability targets.
I believe that the suite of TAMS schemes, including the Pig & Poultry Investment Scheme, is the best mechanism for ensuring that funding is targeted at the most appropriate enterprises. I will also ensure that investment items and ceilings for grant aid continue to be reviewed on a regular basis.