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The Department of Agriculture has made a number of extensions to TAMS deadlines in light of ongoing restrictions to the construction sector due to COVID-19.
A three-month extension has been granted for all projects due to be completed or approvals due to expire between 1 March and 1 July. There will also be a three-month extension for outstanding TAMS payment claims for projects to be completed by 1 July.
This will alleviate pressure on farmers and advisors to complete applications
For farmers looking to submit new TAMS applications, the closing date for the latest tranche has been deferred from 24 April to 5 June. This will alleviate pressure on farmers and advisors to complete applications who cannot meet due to social distancing guidelines.
Health and safety courses
To facilitate some farmers who are yet to complete the required health and safety course, this requirement will be deferred for three months as courses are now suspended. As a result, these farmers can be paid for completed works but must complete a course when they resume.
On GLAS, the Department has allowed flexibility to farmers on providing records following inspection. Normally the deadline is 10 days.
The changes to TAMS come on top of flexibilities the Department has announced for inspections, TB testing, young farmer scheme inspections/applications and nitrates applications.
Flexibilities
The flexibilities will make it easier for farmers and their advisors where difficulties arise from the current public health restrictions in place, the Department said.
Minister for Agriculture commented: “Obviously public health measures are our priority concern right now but it’s essential that farming continues at this time and the schemes run by my Department are important in delivering some of the key productivity and environmental outputs from Irish farms.
“I have introduced some flexibilities to the scheme arrangements to reflect the fact that certain practices are not possible at this time and alternative arrangements are required.”
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