Rdp Changes – Funding for Grain and Sheep Farmers

Sheep fencing and grain storage are among the changes to Ireland’s Rural Development Programme submitted to the EU Commission.

The changes, which follow IFA input, include:

Knowledge Transfer: Additional payments for mixed enterprise farmers who will receive up to €1,125 if they join two Knowledge Transfer groups – €750 for one group and €375 for the second.

TAMS: funding for investment in sheep fencing, grain storage, precision and low impact tillage equipment and rainwater harvesting

Burren Programme: The Department is proposing that the Burren Programme be moved from Pillar 1 and reclassified as a Locally Led Agri-environment Scheme.

IFA Rural Development Chairman Flor McCarthy said approval of these proposals must be swift and the Department must now start work on follow-on amendments to be proposed in 2016. IFA has made submissions on further RDP changes to all political parties in advance of the general election.