Pig producers have been advised to apply for the Exceptional Costs Pig Scheme introduced by DAERA this week.

The support scheme worth a total of £1.6m opened on Tuesday and applications must be completed by 21 February.

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) says pig producers who have been financially impacted by the effects of increasing input costs will receive a much-needed boost as the £1.6 million support scheme opened for applications.

The scheme will provide a payment for pigs born and reared in Northern Ireland and marketed through a Northern Ireland processing plant during the reference period (1 April 2022 – 30 June 2022). Marketed pigs are defined as those slaughtered including totally condemned, dead on arrival and under/overweight at the three abattoirs (Cranswick Country Foods, Karro Food Group Limited and William Grant &Co. Ltd).

Support Payment - Scheme payments will be calculated on the number of pigs born and reared in Northern Ireland and marketed by producers through a Northern Ireland processing plant from 1 April 2022 to 30 June 2022. Payment will be £6.10 per pig with a maximum payment of £54,000 per farm Business ID.

UFU Deputy President John McLenaghan said; “The opening of DAERA’s pig support scheme today will be well received by our members. The funding will help cover the financial losses pig producers have endured over the past number of months due to market volatility and soaring input costs. Although the support scheme will not be enough to cover all the losses incurred for pig producers, it will help with cashflow supporting both our family farms and the Northern Ireland pork industry.

“The UFU lobbied continuously to get this funding secured and we thank DAERA for taking our concerns on board and rolling out the scheme. I encourage all farmers who have received an eligibility letter to make it a priority to fill out the online form so they can benefit from the funding as soon as possible.”

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 21 February 2023. For more information visit, www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/exceptional-costs-pig-scheme.

DAERA has calculated the number of pigs born and reared in NI that were marketed through a NI processing plant during the scheme period using information retrieved from APHIS (Animal and Public Health Information System) and data provided by the abattoirs. Those businesses eligible for a payment have been identified and DAERA has written to them directly with advice on how to apply.

Eligible businesses will need a Government Gateway or NI Direct Account to complete the online application.

 

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