Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine statement on Slurry Storage

The Minister states:

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. One of the key objectives of this scheme is to provide improved nutrient storage facilities, which is a key factor in delivering improved sustainability in the farming sector.

In January last year, I introduced an enhanced grant rate and a dedicated ring-fenced ceiling for Nutrient Storage investments under TAMS 3. This 60% grant rate is open to all farmers, who submit applications in respect of slurry storage through the following TAMS 3 sub schemes; Animal Welfare Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme, Organic Capital Investment Scheme, Women Farmer Capital Investment Scheme and Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme.

The new planning exemptions are now in place for nutrient storage facilities. This allows for the construction of a tank of up to 1,000m3, with an aggregate limit of 1,500m3 on the holding without the requirement for planning permission. I am confident that this measure, together with the TAMS supports already available, will encourage farmers to invest in their nutrient storage facilities, which will in turn have a positive impact on water quality and overall emissions from the sector.