Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 June 2011
27 Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has considered the impact of the closure of the targeted agricultural modernisation schemes on pig and poultry producers who are under pressure to meet stringent EU animal welfare standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17803/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe poultry welfare and sow welfare schemes were suspended for new applications on 8 June 2011 as part of my decision to temporarily close the targeted agricultural modernisation schemes, TAMS, until the position in relation to the availability of funds for next year is clarified. As I indicated at the time, I could not defend a situation in which the Department continued to accept applications under schemes when there was a question over the financing of those grants when they became due for payment. I do not want farmers to put time and money into applications and surveys unless I know I can give them some money.
I also announced at that time that applications received prior to the date of suspension of TAMS would be processed and approved up to the level of the current tranches of funding. As the value, in grant terms, of the 35 applications under the poultry welfare scheme and the 22 applications under the sow welfare scheme which were received by my Department up to close of business on 8 June are within the financial ceilings of the current tranches, I am glad to be able to confirm that all eligible applications received up to that date under these schemes will be processed to approval stage.
I thank the Minister for his reply. The pig and poultry sectors must comply with the looming EU directives and regulations. My information is that applications were made for only €24.7 million of the €90 million envelope available for TAMS. Will the Minister clarify this? Will he ensure the pig and poultry sectors receive priority because of the looming changes in EU legislation and the enforcement coming down the line?
The pig and poultry sectors will be and are being prioritised. Applications opened for pigs and poultry last June, more than a year ago. I suspended applications a week less than a year into the scheme. People had almost a full year to submit their applications. There is an urgency with regard to poultry as by next January the necessary changes need to have been made in poultry units to comply with the new EU legislation on animal husbandry. I do not want to see businesses closing down because of being unable to make the necessary changes to a poultry house or a poultry unit because of not being able to get into TAMS. Under the poultry scheme, payments totalling €11.15 million will be approved shortly and people should make the necessary changes.
With regard to the sow welfare scheme, 22 applications have been made to a total value of approximately €2.4 million. The work involved must be completed by the following January which gives a window of an extra 12 months. That is why poultry is of particular concern at present.
The Deputy is correct to state the overall original estimate for TAMS, which was to run for the next three years, was approximately €90 million. However, this funding must be accounted for by the Department under the expenditure ceilings. Regardless of from where the money comes, I am allowed to spend only a certain amount of money under the expenditure ceilings. This is very restrictive, which is why we must prioritise.
TAMS is very good and I want to prioritise it. I aspire to reopening it for applications in the not too distant future.
