Grant Extension Welcomed by Pig Producers

IFA National Pigs and Pig Meat Committee Chairman Pat O Flaherty said it was a very positive move by Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney to extend the deadline for submission of applications under the revised TAMS Sow Housing Scheme until the 3rd of May 2013.

Mr. O Flaherty said “IFA recently met with Department officials to discuss the issues on pig farms that are causing the delays. This extension is acknowledgment by the Department that there are serious problems preventing farmers from complying, particularly with obtaining planning permission and loan approval.

‘Although this is a welcome development, it is very important that the Department discuss the reasons behind the delay with their colleagues in the Department of Environment. County Councils must act immediately to prioritize pig units that need planning permission so that they can avail of the grant aid. Farmers must invest heavily in their units to comply and yet will not gain a cent extra in the price of their product’.

“Farmers are aware that this is not an extension to the deadline for compliance with the legislation but being able to access the grant will enable some farmers that may have had to reduce their herd size due to delays outside of their control to return to full production by the end of the year” O’ Flaherty concluded.