Increased TAMS Budget the Ultimate Solution

IFA Rural Development Chair John Curran has called on Minister Martin Heydon to secure a TAMS budget of at least €100m in Budget 2027.

“The Minister’s announcement yesterday that 75% of all eligible applications for nutrient storage will be selected under Tranche 11, and prioritised in future tranches, is a step in the right direction. It’s something we have engaged and lobbied hard on with the Minister and his officials for months, because it makes sense to prioritise nutrient storage applications,” he said.

“Increased investment in nutrient storage will bring multiple benefits across the spectrum – on animal welfare grounds; better water quality; improved nutrient efficiency and reduced reliance on costly fertilisers, which is a particularly pressing concern at the minute given the situation in the Middle East.”

“The ultimate solution here, though, is more money in TAMS. The 75% approval rate is better than the 60% applied in Tranche 10, but it’s below the 80% threshold in Tranche 9 and well below the 100% threshold that’s needed for nutrient storage. That’s why we are calling for at least €100m to be secured and allocated to TAMS in Budget 2027, with priority again for nutrient storage applications.”

“There were over 2,000 eligible farmer applications rolled over from Tranche 10. That’s constrained on-farm investment simply because there isn’t enough money. And that’s investment delayed or abandoned that could have had real impact efficiencies at farm level. Only one in every ten eligible LESS/solar applications is getting approval at the minute. It doesn’t make sense and is sending a worrying signal to farmers as greater environmental obligations come down the tracks,” John Curran said.

IFA Environment & Rural Affairs Chair John Murphy said the Minister must give serious consideration to introducing a stand-alone nutrient storage element within TAMS with 100% funding support.

“Nutrient storage is central to achieving water quality and climate targets. At this critical stage, the Government must step up and support farmers to undertake this investment, particularly given the legal requirement under the Nitrates Action Plan to increase storage capacity.”

“Significant progress has been made in recent years through the Farming for Water EIP, the Better Farming for Water Catchment Action Plans and the recent introduction of the planning permission exemption, but farmers now need full support to undertake this investment, which is essential to maintaining continued progress. This is the right thing to do and will be a strategic asset for both the State and society,” he said.