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The dairy aspect follows the Young Farmer Scheme side of TAMS II. Applications are expected to go live next week.
Speaking today on Tom Walsh's farm in Mitchelstown, Co Cork, Minister Coveney said he is "delighted to announce the opening of this very important Scheme which will directly support the development of modern and forward-looking dairy-enterprises on farms across the country. I want to ensure that farmers have access to the most up-to-date technology to enable them compete in the modern dairy sector and to bring the highest quality product to market.”
Coveney announced that an allocation of €50m was being made available under the terms of this scheme.
The total allocation for the various on farm investment schemes planned under TAMS II, including the Dairy Equipment Scheme, is €395m over the course of the Rural Development 2015 - 2020 Programme.
The Dairy scheme is open to all farmers who meet the general eligibility criteria, offering a standard rate of aid of 40%.
The specific areas of investment will include milking machines, milk cooling and storage equipment, water heating and in-parlour feeding systems. Minister Hayes says he encourages "all farmers thinking of investing to study the terms and conditions carefully to see how the new Scheme could benefit them.”
All applications must be made on-line, either by the farmer or by an adviser authorised to act on his or her behalf.
The online application system will go-live after a week, to allow time for farmers and advisors to familiarise themselves fully with the detail of the new Scheme before drawing up applications. The first tranche of applications will run for three months from the activation of the online system, closing in early October.
Minister Coveney said he would be making further announcements in the coming weeks on the launch of the remaining TAMS II areas, including the new Low Emission Slurry Spreading Scheme which is also being prioritised for early opening.
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