Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In anticipation of the savings arising from the TAMS allocation in 2012, I have arranged for the transfer of funding under other capital expenditure headings where additional funding is required, in particular to meet liabilities arising under the farm improvement scheme and the pre-TAMS sow welfare schemes. As a result, I expect the overall savings in this general area to be very modest.

We have approved increased expenditure under particular programmes, including the sow welfare schemes. In January next year, the tethering of sows will no longer be acceptable, which means breeding sows will have to be kept in loose housing arrangements. Significant investment is needed to meet that requirement and we are under pressure in this regard. For this reason, I have extended the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme in this area by providing additional funding and extending the deadline. This will ensure that as many pig farmers as possible qualify by the deadline of next January.

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