Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Grant Aid For Horticulture Sector

Junior Agriculture Minister Tony Killeen has reminded growers across Clare that the closing date for receipt of applications for the third round of the grant aid scheme for the development of the horticulture sector is 19th February 2010.

The local T.D stated that only investments commenced after the issue of letters of approval will be eligible for grant aid.

Commenting on the scheme, Minister of State Killeen stated: “This aid, which is set at 40 per cent (50 per cent in the case of young farmers) of total eligible capital investment, will fund projects in commercial horticultural production carried out during 2010. The scheme covers all horticultural sectors – protected crops, nursery crops, field vegetables, soft fruit, apples, beekeeping and in limited circumstances mushrooms – and is aimed at assisting growers to efficiently produce high quality products in what is now a very competitive market.”

He continued: “There is a need to sustain expertise within the sector and maintain production capacity to maximise production volume and food security. This will minimise our reliance on imports as well as the carbon footprint of our food.”

Details of the scheme and application forms can be obtained from Crop Production and Safety Division, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Administration Building, Backweston Campus, Young’s Cross, Celbridge, Co. Kildare, 01 5058801/5058797 or at www.agriculture.gov.ie.