Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector Must Open Immediately

IFA National Fruit and Vegetable Committee Chair Niall McCormack said the delay in the opening of the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector is unacceptable and urgent action must be taken to open the scheme immediately.

The scheme usually opens in Autumn with applications closing before Christmas, however, it was delayed this year due to State Aid approval. IFA has raised this issue with the Department of Agriculture.

“The Irish horticulture sector is currently in disarray in terms of market challenges, input costs and longstanding issues such as labour and land availability. The hold up in the opening of this scheme is preventing any possible works that growers can do to improve efficiencies,” Niall McCormack said.