Special focus: planning for TAMS II and FBIS grants

More than 9,000 applications have been made for the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) II since its opening last year. This is despite the extremely challenging year for the majority of farm enterprises.

The scheme offers generous grant aid of up to 60% for qualifying young trained farmers and 40% for general applicants for building and improvement works on the farm. In this Focus we give an update of how the scheme is progressing in terms of applications made so far and numbers of approvals to start work issued. The key steps to consider when making a TAMS II application are broken down here .

Since the introduction of TAMS II, the scheme has made newspaper headlines and not always for the right reasons. Many of these issues relate to delays with approvals to start work after applications were made. The process for the issuing of approvals took a lot longer than what was previously envisaged.

The delayed construction of an online application processing system was mostly to blame. Now that this system is up and running, the approvals process should be more straightforward, but the Department has highlighted some common application errors that can slow down this process.

Throughout the section, we have costed a number of larger investments farmers may be considering to apply for in the scheme:

As always, it is important to make sure you can afford to make an investment because grant aid is only paid when the work is fully complete. Remember, all investments made through TAMS II must meet minimum DAFM specifications. You are also required to complete a safety course.

FBIS in Northern Ireland

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland's Department of Agriculture opened the new 40% Farm Business Investment Scheme (FBIS) last week.

Farmers can apply for Tier 1 grants for investments of up to £30,000 until 16 December.

Tier 2 will then open from 19 December for larger investments up to £250,000.