The Department of Agriculture is considering reducing its support level for milking machines and bulk tanks in TAMS II. This emerged at a meeting on Monday with the farm organisations, to discuss details of the scheme.

Department officials suggested the maximum investment ceilings for milking machines and tanks be cut to €30,000 and €15,000, down from €40,000 and €25,000 respectively in TAMS I.

Changes to ensure the €395m allocated for the scheme is spread over the 2014-2020 is being considered.

The meeting confirmed details including 40% grant aid for general applicants, an additional 20% top-up for qualifying young farmers and a super ceiling of €80,000 for all applications made by any individual farmer over the seven years of the scheme. To qualify as a young farmer, an applicant must apply within five years of setting up in farming. A person will be deemed to be set up after taking control of 15ha or more. The maximum age for qualifying for the top-up is 40.

Paul Mooney