A new support scheme will assist farmers with biosecurity protections against badgers. The €6m scheme was announced this morning – Wednesday 13 May – by Minister Martin Heydon, with succesful applicants receiving 40% grant aid on up to €2,000 worth of purchases.
Eligible items include materials for fencing off badger setts to exclude cattle from the area around the opening of setts, eligible water troughs and feed troughs that impede badger access.
Applications are now open, and can be made up to the end of May. Farmers whose applications are approved, will then be able to make their purchases from eligible participating co-operatives and agri retail merchants during July and August. Payment is capped at €800 per farmer, meaning at least 7,500 farmers will be catered for by the scheme.
“The bTB action plan sets out how we will tackle the three main ways in which bTB spreads: by movement of infected cattle, by the reoccurrence of residual infection in herds which had outbreaks in the past, and by infected badgers" said Minister Heydon.
"I have taken steps to address each of these, as I am determined to reduce the levels of this disease and the numbers of farm families having to deal with the stress and worry of an outbreak.”
This article was updated on Wednesday 13 May to reflect the correct payment rates.
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