Speaking with the Irish Farmers Journal at the Teagasc Student of the Year award, the Minister admitted that the Department is under time constraints to ensure the scheme is submitted to the commission by June 30.

“The imperative point of view is that we get the scheme designed and submitted to the commission by the end of June,” he said.

“Our ambition is to get it approved, get the applications out and back in from the farming community and make payments as early as possible in 2017.”

“If we miss the 30 June deadline, we won’t have scheme in 2017,” Minister Creed continued.

The drafting of the scheme documents have not yet been completed, which may hinder the department plan to bring it before the European Commission before the end of June deadline.

“We haven’t made a decision to how it will be paid. Whether it will be a payment per ewe or any other form. We are in consultation with the various interests groups including the farm organisations and others,” Creed explained.

Interests groups believe farmers may have to implement such practical measures such as hoof care, scanning and fly strike prevention for the scheme.

Listen to Minister Creed discuss TAMS approvals, the new sheep scheme, and glyphosate authorisation renewal below

Read more

Submission to Brussels for new sheep scheme to be made before July

Macra calls for 50% top-up for young farmers in sheep scheme