AS the gate finally opens to the equine sector into the €370 million TAMS III scheme, those who did not complete the required Equine Census have been thrown a lifeline to do so without further delay.

Equines are now included under the Animal Welfare Scheme with grant aid of 40% available, capped by a ceiling of up to €90,000. Young farmers and female farmers are entitled to 60% grant aid. DAFM-registered farm partnerships have a higher ceiling of €160,000, once there is two or more partners in the partnership.

Inclusion under the five-year scheme has been hailed as a ‘game-changer’ for the equine sector. TAMS III, which has 10 schemes, runs from now until 2027 and the budget will be spread over the full duration.

Key requirements

Speaking on a webinar on Wednesday hosted by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Dr Robert Leonard outlined the key eligibility requirements for the equine sector to apply for TAMS III funding.

The scheme operates in quarterly tranches with the first tranche closing in mid June. All applications are made online only, with terms and conditions outlined on the DAFM website.

Dr Leonard said: “The Animal Welfare scheme will be opening very shortly [expected to open this week]. Use this timeframe to prepare your applications. The application process is the same as TAMS II and will operate in tranches.

“You must have completed the equine census this year or last year to avail of the scheme. You must have an active Premises Registration Number. It’s a requirement of the scheme to have a minimum of three equines on the last census. If you have not completed the census, do it straight away and that will be accepted,” said Dr Leonard.

Five hectares or more land is the usual requirement under TAMS III tranche funding and the land can be rented or owned. The horses can be mares, geldings, stallions.

The grant aid available covers equine housing, equine training facilities and equine fencing.

How to apply for TAMS III

Advice on the application process was delivered by Ciaran O’Sullivan, OFI Johnstown Castle.

  • Go to www.dafm.ie where there is a special section on TAMS III. There’s a spreadsheet listing what you can apply for. All schemes will be opened by end of May/June.
  • Authorisation forms are on www.agfood.ie and can be downloaded.
  • Check your application details are correct on the top of the screen.
  • TAMS III Authorised Applications online ‘Welcome Screen’ lists 10 schemes. The Animal Welfare Scheme applies to the equine sector.
  • Three buttons on screen - Save Draft Application, Validate Application and Submit Application. Keep saving your changes to your application as you go along so you don’t lose any data.
  • Add Investments by clicking the ‘Add Investment’ Tab which has a drop-down list.
  • Where planning permission is required, make sure it is in place before applying.
  • If a company is involved, you must have company registration certificate before applying.
  • No large maps are allowed under TAMS III - A3 size or smaller is acceptable.
  • DAFM will send out query letters if needed.

    • Other key schemes

    The DAFM webinar outlined that geo-tagged photos must accompany applications for fixed or mobile equipment via the AgriSnap App and any necessary planning permissions must be obtained first before submitting an application.

    The Solar Investment Scheme for farms opened on February 22nd and the rest of the 10 schemes under TAMS III will be opened on a phased basis. The Solar Scheme offers a grant of up to 60%, a ceiling of €90,000 for a maximum size of 62KW and a solar survey is required. Any spill-over capacity is also eligible for payment by the electricity company.

    A new Farm Safety Scheme offers a grant rate of 60% and a ceiling of €90,000 to all those eligible and includes animal handling facilities. A number of tragic farm fatalities have involved the movement of round hay bales and this scheme seeks to reduce risks.

    Other TAMS III schemes of growing interest are the Young Farmer Scheme and Woman Farmer Scheme (up to the age of 66), which have a 60% grant rate and a ceiling of €90,000.

    All of the TAMS III 10 schemes have an investment ceiling of €90,000 with the exception of the PPIS (Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme) and LESS (Low Emissions Slurry Spreading).

    All must meet the requirements under CAP of Climate, Environmental, Animal Welfare, Health and Safety.

    Watch the Irish Farmers Journal Equine TAMS III discussion here