The Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI), is ramping up it’s demands for a meeting with the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed, to request grant access for full-time, non-farming contractors who operate as sole traders or limited companies.

The FCI believes that contractors should receive an individual identifier number which would enable them to access grant aid for purchasing machinery under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS II).

TAMS II

Over €35.2m has been paid out to farmers under TAMS II, with young farmers, who are entitled to a higher grant rate of 60%, accounting for the majority of that figure.

“No Irish land-based contractor can compete with a situation where a neighbouring young farmer and possibly a present or former customer, can provide a service having received up 60% grant aid to buy a similar machine to that which is currently in the land-based contractor's fleet,” said FCI national chairman, Richard White.

Contractors vital for farming

A huge number of farmers depend on contractors every year for a wide variety of tasks, including spreading slurry and cutting and baling silage.

Low-emission slurry spreading is becoming an integral part of new restrictions on derogation farms, and contractors believe that TAMS II should provide them with financial access to update slurry spreading equipment to dribble bar or ground injection machines.

“At FCI we believe that excluding farm and forestry contractors from access to the grants that are available to farmers is contrary to the spirit of free competition that is fostered within the European Union and noted in various regulations,” White concluded.

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Slurry rules spark concern among farmers

Over 40% of TAMS II money paid to young farmers