Poots announces £12m scheme for NI farmers and growers | Newry Times
Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots has announced that Tier 2 of the Farm Business Improvement Scheme – Capital (FBIS-C) will open for applications on 10 January 2022.
The funding for farmers and growers will provide transformational investment in on-farm projects costing in excess of £30,000.
Speaking at the RUAS Winter Fair, Minister Poots says, “I am delighted to announce the re-opening of Tier 2 FBIS Capital.
“The focus of this multi-million-pound fund is on larger-scale investment to encourage a step-change in the agriculture and horticulture sectors.
“We want to drive transformational investment in future-proofed, fit-for-purpose, modern infrastructure and equipment, guided by a robust business planning process within assisted farms.
“I will be inviting those farmers and growers who submitted an Expression of Interest and who are ready to make a significant investment to transform their business to come forward with their application to the scheme when it opens on 10 January 2022.
“I would encourage all applicants to familiarise themselves with guidance which will be available online when the scheme opens, ahead of making an application to what will be a highly competitive scheme.
“My Department will also hold further online information sessions while the scheme is open,” he adds.
There was a significant number of Expressions of Interest in this tranche of Tier 2 FBIS – Capital, which was used to explore the type of investment planned, approximate total costs and potential time for completion.
DAERA held online information events in October for potential applicants to the scheme, which will provide a grant rate of 40% of eligible costs, with £250,000 the maximum grant available.
Only those farm businesses which submitted an Expression of Interest will be eligible to submit a full application for Tier 2 tranche 2 by the application closing date, 4 pm on 1 April 2022.
Applicants will be required to submit a separate robust, viable and sustainable business plan as part of their full application, which shows that they have carefully planned their investment and what difference the proposed project will make in transforming their farm into a more sustainable, efficient and safer business.
All projects which involve construction or extension of buildings will require planning permission or a certificate of lawfulness to be in place before a full application to the scheme is submitted.
Successful applicants under Tier 2 tranche 2 will have a maximum of one year to complete their project.
Further information on the FBIS-C Tier 2 is available on the DAERA website.
Keep up to date with all the latest Newry news, what’s on Newry, and Today’s Newry News Now HERE.
Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=77568
Posted by NewryTimes News
on Dec 21 2021. Filed under Community, Politics.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
