Sheep
The use of temporary fences will allow sheep farmers to make better use of grass on their farms in the lead up to housing.
Agri-Business
Farmers were able to apply to the Sheep Fencing Scheme in early June of this year when it opened to applications.
The Department of Agriculture announced the opening of grant aid for sheep fencing under the TAMS II scheme last week.
Farmers thinking of applying to the third tranche of TAMS II have until Friday week, June 24, to submit an application to the scheme.
Environment
Roscommon East Galway TD Michael Fitzmaurice has hit out at Environment lobby groups particularly An Taisce over objections to farmers planning applications for fencing.
Planning permission or a declaration of exemption from the relevant local authority is required for any proposed sheep fencing under the new TAMS II scheme.
Farmers can now apply for sheep fencing grant aid under the TAMS II scheme through the Department of Agriculture's website.
The inclusion of a sheep fencing scheme in the current round of TAMS II hinges on approval from the European Commission.
Ireland has received approval to provide grant aid for sheep fencing and tillage sector investments under the new TAMS II schemes.
Rural Life
Latest indications suggest that it is now unlikely that sheep fencing will be included for grant aid in the next TAMS II tranche.
It could be March before the European Commission sign off on allowing sheep fencing to receive grant aid under the TAMS II scheme.
Sheep fencing could be included in the suite of eligible investments for grant aid as early as the first quarter of next year, according to the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney.
Sheep fencing will now be eligible for grant aid under the TAMS II scheme, the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney confirmed following the announcement Budget today.
