IFA Secures Extension to Deadline for Submission of Applications Under the Sow Welfare Scheme
IFA National Pigs and Pigmeat Committee Chairman Tim Cullinan said “IFA welcomes today’s announcement that the deadline for submission of applications under the Sow Welfare Scheme has been extended from end-October 2012 to end-January 2013.”
“Over the last number of months IFA has highlighted to the Minister for Agriculture, Food + Marine, Simon Coveney the on-going issues on pig farms in relation to securing planning permission to convert or build the necessary structures to comply with the sow welfare regulations.”
“Several farmers through no fault of their own were unable to secure the necessary planning in advance of the original deadline and this will help these producers remain in business.”
“The additional €3m tranche of funding is also very welcome. This is a very positive signal from Government for an industry that has suffered enormous difficulties over the last two years due to increasing input costs. However the very fact that more grant funding is needed shows the determination of pig producers firstly to stay in business but also to be compliant with the highest welfare standards,” Tim Cullinan concluded.
