TAMS II general schemes launched and open for applications

With the general TAMS II scheme launched last week, farmers are keen to see what items are available for grant aid. Its full name is the Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme. Also launched last week was the Low Emission Slurry Spreading Scheme (LESS).

Applications for these and all other TAMS II schemes have to be made online, either by the farmer or by an adviser authorised to act on their behalf. The online application system for the latest two schemes is now open to allow farmers commence the process of applying. However, the “Submit” button will not go live for a few weeks.

The first tranche of applications will run for three months, closing towards the end of October. It is unlikely that uptake will be high in the first tranche due to the need for planning permission, up front, for many projects. However, the second tranche is likely to open immediately after the first.

Unsuccessful applications are carried over to the next tranche period. The overall closing date for all schemes is 31 December 2020.

The two new schemes are open to all farmers who meet the eligibility criteria, offering a standard rate of aid of 40% on investments up to a ceiling of €80,000. Those who avail of the LESS scheme will be able to avail of an independent ceiling of €40,000. The Department says this independent ceiling of €40,000 will not impact on the ceiling of €80,000 across the other TAMS II Schemes.

The LESS scheme is designed to help accommodate GLAS actions farmers may have chosen which promote environmentally friendly slurry spreading. This encourages the use of trailing shoe, shallow injection systems and umbilical systems.

The Department says that tranche periods will usually be three months. According to the Department, they are used to allocate expenditure over the RDP period 2015-2020.

Assessment

Applications are assessed and ranked (see Table 1: Marking sheet for Animal Welfare Safety and Farm Nutrient Storage Scheme). Extra marks are awarded to farmers aged under 40 years, farmers who didn’t receive a payment in TAMS I, where the proposed cost is kept below the reference cost, size of holding or production units, Areas of Natural Constraints.

Ranking is used in each tranche to keep the expenditure within budget. Those applications ranked highest are sent for potential approval for the relevant scheme.

Unsuccessful applications in any tranche period are automatically carried over to the next tranche period, until such time as the scheme closes for applications. A closing date for any tranche means that applications received after that date will not be considered for assessment in that tranche period. A tranche closing date is not to be confused with the closing date for the scheme.

Planning permission

Where planning permission is required for an item, the Department will not accept an application unless documentary evidence of a grant of full planning permission, revised planning where required, or declaration of exemption for the proposed works issued by the relevant Local Authority accompanies the application.

The Department also says that notification of a decision to grant planning permission will not be sufficient for the application.

To date, there are four schemes launched out of six TAMS II schemes. Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney says the two remaining schemes – the Organic Capital Investment Scheme and the Pigs and Poultry Specialised Investment Scheme – will be launched over the coming weeks.