Sheep and tillage farmers will welcome the news that their sectors will finally be included in the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS II).

Speaking in the Dáil on Wednesday, acting Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney announced that he has received “informal approval” from the European Commission for the inclusion of a specific scheme of investment for tillage farmers and also for sheep fencing as an investment item under the existing TAMS II schemes.

The IFA has called on the minister to implement the sheep fencing scheme and tillage scheme in the third tranche, which commenced at the end of March.

IFA rural development chair Joe Brady said that while these measures have not been officially approved, the Department should not delay on implementing these new schemes in the current third tranche of TAMS II.