Michael Creed
Ceist:153 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the grants available for dairy hygiene. [5472/01]
Written Answers. - Dairy Hygiene Scheme.
Under the new scheme of investment aid for the improvement of dairy hygiene standards grant aid is available to assist dairy farmers to provide new and upgraded dairying facilities and milking equipment on their farms. Grant aid is payable at the rate of 40% to dairy farmers with up to 150 income units, while farmers with more than 150 income units and up to a maximum of 200 income units are eligible for a 20% rate of grant. The maximum investment eligible for grant is £25,000. The grant rates are increased in respect of all investments, with the exception of milking machines and new bulk milk tanks, by 15% in less favoured areas and by 5% in other areas in the case of young trained farmers under 35 years of age who have undertaken the investments within five years of setting up in farming.