The Manure Efficiency Technology Scheme which provides financial support for specialised slurry spreading equipment is to re-open on Monday next, March 31, the Agriculture Minister, Michelle O’Neill has announced. The closing date for applications is April 25. She said: “The first two tranches of the METS have successfully funded over 230 advanced slurry spreading machines.
“METS equipment increases resource efficiency and can help reduce the environmental impact of livestock production. Therefore, it is an important component in delivery on the “Going for Growth” Strategy objective of sustainable growth.”
Outlining the application process, the Minister continued: “The Scheme will again be open to both individual and collective applicants. Therefore, farmers will have an opportunity to come together to submit a collective application under a lead applicant.
The collective application facility proved popular under Tranche 2, helping smaller farms benefit from the Scheme and the technology.
“The Scheme will continue to operate under the same selection criteria as Tranche 2. At the end of the application period, applications will be scored and those awarded the highest marks will receive offers of funding from the £0.7million available.”
“Farmers who are funded under METS will also receive CAFRE training on Nutrient Management and safe handling of slurry.”
The Explanatory Booklet, Application Form and details of the METS Information Workshops will be available on line from the Delivery Agent, Countryside Agri-Rural Partnership Limited, from Monday 31 March 2014 at:
http://www.countrysiderural.co.uk.
CAFRE Information Workshops on The Manure Efficiency Technology Scheme Tranche 3 are scheduled for Tuesday 8 April at Greenmount College Antrim starting at 8pm and on Thursday 10 April, 2014 at LoughryCollege, Cookstown starting at 8pm.
The Ulster Farmers’ Union has welcomed the launch of the new grant scheme for farmers.
(Source – Impartial Reporter – Brian Donaldson – 27/03/2014)