There is provision for new entrants into the scheme.

For the purposes of the scheme, a new entrant to this scheme is defined as an

applicant who has applied for a new herd number from 1st January 2017

The Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, TD has today announced that vaccination of badgers against tuberculosis (TB) will commence as an integral part of the bovine TB eradication programme from January 2018.

This year’s sheep census must be returned to the department by the 31st of January. If you are posting your census make sure and register post it and hold on to the receipt as it is the only acceptable proof of postage in the case of a dispute. The number of sheep that you put on your census should be the amount of sheep in your flock on the 31st of December 2017.

Andrew Doyle T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for Forestry, has announced the release of the first bulk payment of annual tax-free forestry premiums for 2018.  The payments are currently being issued to forest owners who applied through the Department’s online services website www.agfood.ie.

IFA Rural Development Chairman Joe Brady has welcomed changes to the TAMS scheme, which will allow farmers who have applied for TAMS, and who had put down a deposit before formal approval, to claim the deposit as a legitimate expense in claiming grant aid.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, T.D. today announced that payments have commenced under the Beef Data and Genomics Programme.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed T.D., today announced the opening of the new €25m Hen Harrier Programme under Ireland’s Rural Development Programme. The Minister made the announcement on a visit to the farm of Jack Lynch, who farms in the Hen Harrier SPA near Ballyvourney, outside Macroom, Co. Cork.

The Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, TD, announced today that the 2017 advance payments for the two main agri-environment schemes are commencing this week.

The Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine has announced that Nitrogen and Phosphorus statements (N&P Statements) for cattle only  for the period January to October 2017 are now available on the Department’s online system www.agfood.ie.

Andrew Doyle T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Horticulture, today announced the opening of the 2018 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector.

1. Improved Yields and Economic return

1. Management tool for your fertiliser plan

1. Efficient use of fertiliser

1. Indicate the level of P, K and lime in the soil

1. Environmental benefits

1. Micronutrient requirements of the crop

The grants available range between €4,000 and €25,000 and can cover up to 75% of the cost of the works. Eligible applicants for the scheme are chosen on a competitive basis and around 50 to 70 projects will be supported each year. The closing date for the receipt of applications is 5pm on Friday 24 November 2017

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD, has announced the opening of The GLAS Traditional Farm Buildings Scheme for 2018.