Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

A number of recent economic reports into the Irish horse sector have shown that the vast majority of people involved in this industry, especially in horse breeding, have small holdings with five breeding mares or less. The equine sector comes under the remit of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, but has not benefitted from any capital investment grants or direct support from CAP. There are currently 27,000 farmers registered on the Department's database with equine premises. These farmers in Tipperary and throughout rural Ireland would greatly benefit from the inclusion of their sector in target agriculture modernisation schemes, TAMS, to be funded under the new CAP regime from January 2023. Essential infrastructure, such as stabling, arenas, horse fencing, outwintering paddocks and horse handling facilities should be incorporated and eligible for funding under the scheme. Will the Taoiseach request that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine examine inclusion of this integral part of Irish agriculture in such a scheme and engage directly with representatives of the thoroughbred and sports sector?

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