Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

417. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason there are different criteria for eligibility of horses and donkeys for the purpose of establishing stocking density under the ANC scheme; the reason, in particular, on one hand mares that have not been bred for two years cannot be counted, whereas donkeys in such circumstances are counted as half a livestock unit; whether he has any intention of allowing older, non-breeding mares and stallion horses to be counted as half-a-livestock unit in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55873/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Under Ireland's CAP schemes, stocking requirements can be used by applicants to fulfil eligibility criteria in the following areas.

- Active Farmer Check

- Eco-Scheme

- Organic Farming Scheme

- Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC)

The equine eligibility criteria set out below followed extensive consultation with the farm organisations.

Donkeys are eligible for inclusion in stocking requirement calculations for the above Schemes and are valued at 0.80 of a livestock unit. In addition, they must be owned by the applicant and hold a valid passport with the donkey registered in the name of the applicant. Donkeys must also be maintained on the applicant's holding. It is important to note that no more than 50% of the stocking density requirement can be fulfilled using donkeys. Applicants are therefore required to use other livestock to fulfil the other 50% requirement.

Eligible breeding enterprises are eligible for inclusion in stocking requirement calculations for the above Schemes for horses and are valued at 0.80 livestock unit.

For 2023 an applicant must, in the first instance, be an equine breeder and have bred a foal, in either 2021 or 2022, from a mare registered as on the applicant’s holding in 2022, which was registered in a Stud Book approved by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, with pedigree recorded (sire and dam). Furthermore, the premises of all who meet these criteria must be registered with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, in accordance with S.I. No. 113 of 2014 Control on Places where Horses are Kept Regulations 2014. It is important to note that 100% of the stocking density requirement can be fulfilled using eligible horses.

Both donkeys and eligible breeding mares are valued at 0.80 livestock unit.

An updated review of the eligibility criteria for horses and donkeys is currently ongoing. Consultation with relevant stakeholders will occur in 2024 with any agreed changes to equine eligibility in place from 2025 onwards.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) provides grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings. There is an indicative budget of €370 million available for the period 2023-2027, and all investments must be linked to Climate, Environment or Animal Welfare.

The Solar Capital Investment scheme, which launched on 22 February 2023, is one of the schemes under TAMS 3. It encourages the purchase of solar investments, thereby reducing dependence on fossil fuel energy by farmers. The solar scheme has its own investment ceiling of €90,000, and will be grant-aided at the enhanced rate of 60%.

TAMS is an On-Farm Investment Scheme which is co-funded by the EU. Under the current EU regulations and under the new CAP Strategic Plan, it is a strict requirement that the electricity generated annually from the installed solar PV system does not exceed the annual electricity demand of the farmyard, including the dwelling house. However, there will be occasions, typically in summertime, where the electricity generated will surpass the electricity demand, and the surplus electricity is subsequently spilled over to the grid.

In these circumstances, this is permissible, and furthermore, there is an obligation on the energy utility company to remunerate the farmer for this quantity of electricity. This spillover of generated electricity is catered for under the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG), which is available to all renewable energy generators, including farmers. The price paid for the spillover electricity is set by the energy provider under the Clean Export Guarantee.

Currently grant aid for solar investments in TAMS is for the purposes of farm consumption. In cases where the applicant wishes to apply for non-TAMS support (e.g. SEAI) for a larger area of panels, the TAMS 3 unit must be a separate independent system if this additional support is being sought. If no additional non-TAMS support is sought, then the additional panels can be part of the TAMS system.

The electricity consumption of the dwelling house can be included on the solar survey as part of the holding for sizing the Solar PV installation. The dwelling house must be occupied by the herd owner or family member and situated on the holding. Only one dwelling house can be included on the Solar survey.

There are other state supports for the installation of solar panels, including support from the SEAI and all farmers should be examining all options for support. This can be installed in tandem with the TAMS investment for those farmers who wish to do this at scale, and is a further option for those keen to explore renewable energy generation.