Fine Gael Deputy for Longford-Westmeath, Peter Burke, has confirmed that the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, has decided to extend the closing date for the receipt of applications under the new Sheep Welfare Scheme.
The new deadline for applications is Friday, February 3, and Deputy Burke is encouraging all eligible farmers who have not yet applied for the scheme to now do so.
“This extension will allow more sheep farmers to avail of the €10 per ewe payment for those who comply with the straightforward conditions laid out in the scheme,” Deputy Burke said.
“I know that many farmers were already carrying out the animal welfare actions in their flock before the scheme came in, and now they will receive a payment for same. We need to ensure that the full fund available to us is drawn down and utilised to help the maximum amount of farming households.”
