Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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759. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the Government target by year for the adoption of low emissions slurry spreading technology; the intended allocation under TAMS to support same; the target number of farmers in receipt of such funds by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12566/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Ag Climatise Strategy, the targets regarding Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) include achieving a target of 60% of all slurry spread by LESS by 2022, 80% by 2025 and 90% by 2027. This action will make a significant contribution towards meeting our ammonia reduction targets.

The current Nitrates Action Programme provides for compulsory usage of LESS equipment for all farmers operating above 170 kg N/ha. In order to meet our ammonia and Ag Climatise targets, further compulsory implementation of LESS for more farmers is required and under the draft 5th Nitrates Action Programme there is a phased approach proposed for the introduction of LESS for less intensive farmers as follows:

(a) Low emission slurry spreading equipment must be used for the application of slurry on holdings with stocking rates of :

i.170 kg nitrogen per hectare from grazing livestock manure or above prior to export of livestock manure from the holding. 

ii. 150 kg nitrogen per hectare from grazing livestock manure or above prior to export of livestock manure from the holding from 1st January 2023. 

iii. 130 kg nitrogen per hectare from grazing livestock manure or above prior to export of livestock manure from the holding from 1st January 2024.  

iv. 100 kg nitrogen per hectare from grazing livestock manure or above prior to export of livestock manure from the holding from 1st January 2025. 

v. slurry produced by pigs on any holding from 1st January 2023.

From 1st January 2023, low emission equipment shall be used to apply livestock manure to arable land or the livestock manure shall be incorporated within 24 hours.

An indicative budget of €395m was made available for TAMS II under the current RDP (2014-2020). The allocation for all the TAMS schemes including the Low Emission Slurry Spreading equipment for the transitional period to the end of 2022 is now €507.77m plus €96m under the European Recovery Instrument (EURI) for 2021 to 2023.

Under Article 17 of European Parliament and Council Regulation (EU) No. 1305/2013, grant aid can be provided for investments for a maximum of 12 months after the imposition of new mandatory requirements. This applies to all TAMS II schemes. TAMS schemes will continue to be grant aided under the Rural Development Programme until the end of 2025.

Ireland's draft CAP Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027 which lists the range of interventions currently being proposed, was submitted to the EU Commission on 31st December 2021. The regulations governing the new CSP 2023-2027 allow support for investment for 24 months from the imposition of mandatory requirements.