Minister confirms criteria for modernisation scheme to open in Spring

Editorial Department • Published 25 Feb 2010 10:01 0 Comments

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The long awaited and controversial Tranche Two of the Farm Modernisation Scheme will be officially launched shortly with applications accepted from a date in the spring, over a period of six weeks, the Agriculture Minister, Michelle Gildernew announced yesterday(Tuesday).

She also confirmed the criteria which will be used in the scheme for which there will be £7 million available. DARD is going ahead with priority for farmers in Less Favoured Areas but also give a lower score to farmers in lowland areas. There has been strong opposition to the criteria from the UFU.

Explaining her rationale, the Minister said: " In today's difficult economic circumstances Tranche 2 of the Farm Modernisation programme is an opportunity for me to target disadvantage. I wish to help smaller farm businesses working in challenging conditions on the hills, to modernise their farms, become more competitive, and make a better living.

"That is why the scoring system in this programme, which will select between applications, focuses on the Severely Disadvantaged and Disadvantaged Areas, as well as on the degree of modernisation sought, and, of course, young farmers."

The Minister added: "Those Businesses in the Severely Disadvantaged Areas will receive the highest score of 35, followed by an award of 25 marks for farmers in the Disadvantaged Areas, and a score of 10 for farmers in the Lowland. For the important criterion of modernisation it is expected that there will be three scoring bands.

The top band will be awarded 40 marks, 30 marks for items in the middle band and 20 marks for those items which are considered to be the least modernising. Young farmers involved in the farm business will score 15 marks, and 5 marks will be awarded for on-line applications, by way of promoting technology, and also for farmers' convenience."

She said: "Farmers in the Less Favoured Areas, face permanent hardship as a result of the poor agricultural conditions they face.

"The emphasis on young farmers within this tranche is also something that I particularly want to see. I firmly believe that this is a good way to encourage young people to continue to have a career in the Industry. "

The Minister also outlined how the criteria will work in practice. She said: "Firstly, I have reduced the maximum level of grant to £4,000 to allow more farmers to benefit and the minimum level will now be £500. In relation to the three scoring bands for modernisation my officials are currently considering what additional items should be on this list and will consult with stakeholders on final items and band selection.

Applications will be accepted by post, by hand and by email over a period of 6 weeks."

The scoring system for Tranche 2 will be as follow:-

Land Classification; SDA areas - 35; DA areas - 25;Lowland areas - 10

Degree of Modernisation; Top Band - 40; Middle Band - 30; Lower Band - 20

Young Farmer - 15

E-Communication - 5

The Scheme is expected to open in the Spring.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 25 Feb 10

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