Despite calls from Teagasc, veterinary professionals and knowledge transfer protocol group facilitators for an extension to the deadline for completing actions under the Knowledge Transfer Programme, Minister Michael Creed has said that at present there are no plans to extend the 31 May deadline.

“Year one of the scheme runs from 1 June 2016 to 31 May 2017, and groups and national events are underway across all sectors, and at present there are no plans to extend the 31 May 2017 deadline,” he told Deputy Charlie McConalogue in reply to a parliamentary question.

As reported in this week’s Irish Farmers Journal, the KT scheme has been plagued by problems in recent times, including issues relating to costs, bureaucracy and IT.

Some 30 farmers out of 20,000 have already left the scheme since it was set up last June, and more are expected to follow suit in the coming months.

Veterinary costs

Responding to another parliamentary question from McConalogue on the cost issue, Creed said that farmers will not be paid for the veterinary costs associated with drawing up a herd health plan, which ranges from €200 to €250, as veterinary costs “are not eligible under the articles of the Rural Development Regulation on which the Knowledge Transfer Programme is based”.

“However, costings for the farmers’ time in completing the animal health measures in conjunction with a veterinary practitioner are included in payments to farmers,” he said.

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