The Department of Agriculture is in consultation with the European Commission regarding an extension to the deadline for the completion of work and the submission of payment claims under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) Sow Welfare Scheme.
In a statement today, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney TD said he is aware of the difficulties the pig sector is facing and the potentially negative impact of the end of September 2013 deadline for projects that have not yet been completed.
“Any extension, if approved would of course not affect the entry into force of the new EU animal welfare rules that came into with effect on 1 January 2013. It would merely enable applicants under the scheme to continue to receive grant-aid for the completed investments on condition that the works are completed and a payment claim lodged with the department by the revised deadline.”
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