Key facts
- ICMSA urges 100% selection rate for slurry storage applications under TAMS tranche 11.
- Minister Martin Heydon confirmed ranking and selection for tranche 11 applications.
- Farm safety scheme applications will have a 100% selection rate.
- Nutrient storage measures will have a 75% selection rate.
- DAFM confirmed fuel support payments are subject to tax rules.
- ICSA advocates for using prior year stocking figures for slurry import limits.
The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association (ICMSA) has called for a 100% selection rate for all eligible applications for nutrient storage measures under tranche 11 of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3). Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, confirmed that ranking and selection would apply to tranche 11, with priority given to farm safety and nutrient storage schemes. While farm safety applications will see a 100% selection rate, nutrient storage measures are set at 75%. The ICMSA argues that this 75% rate for slurry storage is insufficient, given the pressing issue of inadequate slurry storage and upcoming EU environmental requirements. Pat O'Brien, Chairperson of the ICMSA's farm business committee, stated that ruling out 25% of applicants for slurry storage undermines the scheme's purpose. The organisation also called for the abolition of nitrates scoring in the ranking and selection process, deeming it unfair. Furthermore, the ICMSA expressed concern over the low 10% selection rate for solar and low emission slurry spreading (LESS) schemes. Separately, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) confirmed that payments from the Fuel Income Support Scheme will be subject to tax rules. The scheme offers 20 cent per litre of green diesel used, with an estimated 120,000 farmers and 1,500 contractors eligible for payments covering March to July. The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) has stated that prior year stocking figures should be accepted for slurry import limits under nitrates rules, similar to their use for Active Farmer purposes under the Basic Income Sustainability Support (BISS) scheme. ICSA rural development chair, Edmond Phelan, highlighted the difficulties farmers face in making slurry import decisions during the spreading season without knowing their final stocking rate for the year, particularly for beef farmers who trade animals throughout the year. The slurry spreading season closes at the end of September, but final stocking rates are not known until mid to late January. Phelan argued that using the previous year's stocking rate would provide certainty and a more practical system for farmers and advisers, without weakening the nitrates rules. Scorecards for lands for results-based payments under the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) are issuing this week. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is advising that for scores submitted to be deemed valid and used in the determination of ACRES payments in respect of 2026, they must be submitted by an approved ACRES advisor who has completed an in-field scorecard training course. The scorecard training courses are being provided by the ACRES Co-operation Project (CP) teams. There are a total of 16 courses – five mandatory courses for new advisors and 11 refresher courses – scheduled to take place over the coming weeks across ACRES CP regions. DAFM said attendance at the refresher scorecard training course would be a “useful opportunity to remind yourself about what is involved”. The department said this year's courses are also providing information on the way in which the assessment of lands can inform decision making on non-productive investments and landscape actions, for which participants in the ACRES Co-operation approach may apply. The deadline for submission of completed scorecards is August 31, 2026. "You are reminded that once an ACRES scorecard has been submitted in full, it will not be possible to make further changes to the scorecard and it cannot subsequently be amended," DAFM said. "It is therefore essential that advisors are fully satisfied that scorecards are correct at the time of submission."