The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, today announced that his Department is in consultation with the EU Commission regarding an extension to the deadline for the completion of work and the submission of payment claims under the TAMS Sow Welfare Scheme. 

The Minister stated that he is aware of the difficulties which the pig sector is facing and the potentially negative impact of the end September 2013 deadline for projects that have not yet been completed. 

Any extension, if approved, would, of course not affect the entry into force of the new EU animal welfare rules which came into with effect on 1 January 2013.  It would merely enable applicants under the Scheme to continue to receive grant-aid for the completed investments on condition that the works are completed and a payment claim lodged with the Department by the revised deadline

Date Released: 25 September 2013