The specifications regarding the purchase and installation of water troughs in the recently released On-Farm Badger Biosecurity Scheme have been revised, presumably in light of challenges sourcing water troughs with a minimum height of 0.9m.

The new criteria is outlined in Table 1 with the Department also adding more information regarding the required specifications for fencing materials.

A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture told the Irish Farmers Journal the terms and conditions of the On-Farm Badger Biosecurity Scheme allow for concrete and drinking troughs a minimum of 90cm in height.

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If less than 90cm in height but greater than 60cm in height, the trough may be placed on a base of suitable solid material to ensure that the drinking level of the trough must be 90cm above the surface level of the ground.

The specifications relating to nose fill drinking troughs are unchanged – ie nose fill drinking troughs should be a minimum of 90cm in height from the surface of the ground.

Grant aid

The scheme provides grant aid at a rate of 40% of expenditure on eligible materials including water troughs, feeding troughs and fencing materials to a maximum investment of €2,000 excluding VAT. This means the maximum grant aid available is €800.

The minimum investment under the scheme is €500, ie grant aid of €200.

The application process, which must be submitted by the deadline of 31 May 2026, is completed by filling out an application form which can be found at bovinetb.ie and then emailing it to RAHBio@agriculture.gov.ie.

The Department’s correspondence with the Irish Farmers Journal also highlighted that farmers may not purchase any materials under the scheme until they receive a letter of approval from the Department which will advise of the timelines for purchasing these materials. It added that the list of approved co-operatives and agri-retail merchants from which materials can be purchased is available on bovinetb.ie.