The multi-year Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) funded through the CAP is now open to new applications, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has announced.
The scheme pays €12/ewe for the completing of two actions related to sheep welfare, with one action having to be selected from two lists of measures which differ for lowland and hill flocks. The purchase of at least one genotyped ram is compulsory under the SIS.
Applications can be submitted on agfood.ie before up to 29 April 2026.
“I am delighted to announce that applications for entry to year four of the Sheep Improvement Scheme are now open to qualifying new entrants,” Minister Heydon said.
“This is the fourth year of the SIS, which builds on the progress made by the Sheep Welfare Scheme in the previous CAP and indeed the last three years of the Sheep Improvement Scheme too.
“This scheme, which facilitates an annual opening for new entrants, demonstrates the continuing commitment of this Government to the sheep sector.”
Drystock schemes bluetongue update
Separately, Minister Heydon announced on Tuesday that bluetongue vaccination is to be included as an action in both the 2026 nationally-funded Sheep Welfare Scheme and the 2026 Beef Welfare Scheme “at existing payment rates”.
It is expected that the Budget 2026 sheep scheme will open for applications in April and the 2026 equivalent for suckler farmers will begin accepting applications in August.
“Full details of the structure and format of these schemes will be announced nearer to relevant launch dates but they will replicate the practical measures contained in the schemes implemented in 2025,” the minister said this week.
It is expected that vaccination against bluetongue or clostridial diseases will be an option for participants of the sheep scheme, while the beef scheme will allow farmers to choose whether to vaccinate against either bluetongue, clostridial diseases or calf pneumonia as an action.
SHARING OPTIONS