Agriculture Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024

Wednesday, 17 January 2024

Questions (1215)

Colm Burke

Question:

1215. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if due consideration will be given to his Department engaging with stakeholders in the agtech sector in developing a pathway for the inclusion of agtech innovations in TAMS, ACRES and other CAP schemes, and that this pathway would allow for ongoing review of these schemes’ eligibility considerations for new but proven and validated solutions shown to meet the objectives of the schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56896/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

There is currently a range of Agtech equipment included in the TAMS 3 schemes, including items such as GPS machinery control, yield monitoring, health and fertility monitoring systems, grass growth monitoring systems, robotic slurry scrapers and automatic calf feeders. 

The required validation protocols for new technologies will vary by product and intended usage.  Teagasc, the State Agriculture and Food Development Authority, is a recognised and trusted body which undertakes research in the agricultural sector. Companies looking to have their products validated for the Irish market should contact Teagasc to discuss the options for such work to be undertaken.   

The list of investments included in TAMS 3 is kept under regular review to ensure that it supports the range of needs on a farm. The inclusion of further investment categories is dependent on the availability of funding for the TAMS 3 schemes.