Manure Efficiency Technology Scheme to re-open
Agriculture Minister O’Neill has announced that the Manure Efficiency Technology Scheme (METS) will re-open on Monday 31 March 2014.
METS, a capital grant scheme delivered under the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, provides financial support for specialised slurry spreading equipment.
Minister O’Neill said: “The first two tranches of the METS have successfully funded over 230 advanced slurry spreading machines. The productive and environmental benefits of this equipment have been verified
by local research at AFBI Hillsborough and demonstrated to farmers through a series of events organised by CAFRE. The third tranche of METS will help more farmers to invest in this technology which supports efficient and environmentally sustainable farming practice by promoting greater nutrient efficiency.
“METS equipment increases resource efficiency and can help reduce the environmental impact of livestock production. Therefore, it is an important component in delivery on the “Going for Growth” Strategy objective of sustainable growth.”
Outlining the application process, the Minister continued: “The Scheme will again be open to both individual and collective applicants. Therefore, farmers will have an opportunity to come together to submit a
collective application under a lead applicant. The collective application facility proved popular under Tranche 2, helping smaller farms benefit from the Scheme and the technology.
“The Scheme will continue to operate under the same selection criteria as Tranche 2 which reflect the primary objective of maximising the environmental and productive benefits from the equipment funded under
METS.
“At the end of the application period, applications will be scored and those awarded the highest marks will receive offers of funding from the £0.7million available.”
She added: “I was encouraged to see such a high uptake of the on-line application facility under Tranche 2 of METS. Therefore, we will again be awarding additional marks for on-line applications under Tranche 3.
Paper applications will continue to be accepted, by hand or by post.
“The eligible items under Tranche 3 have been extended to include trailing shoe and trailing hose spreading equipment for fitting to existing umbilical systems.”
In conclusion the Minister said: “CAFRE will be holding METS information workshops in the week following the opening of the Scheme. These will help farmers assess whether investment in equipment funded under
METS is appropriate for their farm business. I would encourage any farmers who are interested in the Scheme to come along.
“Farmers who are funded under METS will also receive CAFRE training on Nutrient Management and safe handling of slurry. Therefore, the scheme aims to provide farmers with a complete package to help them
make the best use of the equipment.”
The closing date for applications is 25 April 2014.
The Explanatory Booklet, Application Form and details of the METS Information Workshops will be available on line from the Delivery Agent, Countryside Agri-Rural Partnership Limited, from Monday 31 March 2014 at:
. These documents can also be accessed on: http://www.dardni.gov.uk/index/grants-and-funding.
Hard copies of these documents are also available on request from the Delivery Agent. Contact: Countryside Agri-Rural Partnership, Manure Efficiency Technology Scheme, 97 Moy Road, Dungannon, Co Tyrone, BT71
7DX. Telephone Number: . Fax Number: . Email: .
CAFRE Information Workshops on The Manure Efficiency Technology Scheme Tranche 3 are scheduled for Tuesday 8 April at Greenmount College Antrim starting at 8pm and on Thursday 10 April, 2014 at Loughry
College Cookstown starting at 8pm.
Further details of the CAFRE METS Information workshops can be obtained at: http://www.dardni.gov.uk/index/grants-and-funding or from CAFRE Telephone Number: or email:
