Fodder Transport Support Measure 2018

Fodder Transport Support Measure 2018 Terms and Conditions and Application Form

General The objective of this measure is to provide targeted support to farmers in the West/North- West addressing a significant, verified forage shortage on those farms. This will be achieved through a financial contribution towards forage transport costs in certain circumstances in the period ending 20th April 2018. This measure is operated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, through the Co-operative organisation.

Terms and Conditions:

1. Financial aid will only be paid in instances where a significant forage shortage is confirmed and verified by a FAS approved advisor. Payments will be limited to the shortfall only. A completed forage budget form signed by a FAS approved advisor must be submitted as part of the application. 2. Applications will be subject to verification, including on-farm inspection where necessary, by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. 3. Forage primarily sourced through Co-operatives will be eligible for the transport support contribution. 4. Only forage sourced within the State will be eligible for the transport support contribution. 5. Only forage verified as being transported over 100 kms will be eligible for the transport support contribution. 6. Eligible forage is defined as: bales of Hay, Haylage, Silage and Straw for feeding. 7. The following table outlines the transport support contribution that will be payable on each bale of forage complying with the terms and conditions of this measure.

Transport Support, Forage € per Material Bale Size Bale Silage /Haylage 4 X4 12 Hay/straw 4 X 4 8 Transport support contribution on other standard bale sizes will be calculated pro rata

8. In the event of eligible applications in excess of the total budget available for the measure being received, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will implement reduced payments as appropriate. 9. Applications must equal or exceed €100 in support payable to be considered eligible. 10. All payments will be subject to the EU rules on de minimis aid as laid down in Commission Regulation (EU) No 1408/2013 regarding de minimis aid in the agricultural production sector. 11. Payment will only issue to holdings with livestock and in regard to forage purchased and utilised on the holding after 29 January 2018. The applicant shall pay the Co-operative for the forage and transport cost in full. The applicant will subsequently apply directly to DAFM for the transport support contribution by submitting a valid application including the Forage Budget Form and Co-operative Declaration. 12. Application of the Terms and Conditions are at the discretion of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

State Aid - De Minimis Regulations

Financial assistance under the Fodder Transport Support Measure 2018 is paid in accordance with Commission Regulation (EU) No 1408/2013 (de minimis aid in the agricultural production sector)

Eligibility to receive funding under the Fodder Transport Support Measure 2018 is dependent on the applicant remaining within the €15,000 individual aid limit in the 2016-2018 fiscal years, as set out in Commission Regulation (EU) 1408/2013. Where any aid awarded exceeds this amount, no payment will issue.

However please note. aid paid out under the Fodder Transport Support Measure 2018 will be considered towards the applicant’s threshold for the next three years.(2018-2020).

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine reserves the right to carry out the relevant administrative checks required to ensure compliance in this regard.

Application Form

Fodder Transport Support Measure 2018

Applicant Details (to be completed by applicant)

Herd number:......

Name:…….……………………………………………………………………………..

Address:……...………………………………………………………………………….

Phone Number: …………………...……… Mobile...... ……………………………....

Email: ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………

Details of Additional Forage Requirement

Name of Co- operative(s):______

Forage type and Number of bales purchased under the terms of this measure: (complete as necessary)

Forage Material Bale Size Transport Support per Number of Bales Bale € Purchased Hay/Straw 4 X 4 8 Haylage/silage 4 X 4 12 Hay/Straw 8 X 4 X 4 14 Hay/Straw 8 X 4 X 3 12 Haylage/silage 8 X 4 X 3 17 Hay/Straw 6 X 3 X 2 3

Declaration

I wish to apply for Aid under Fodder Transport Support Measure, in respect of the quantity of forage purchased as determined by my FAS advisor. I agree to abide by the Terms and Conditions of the Measure.

Signature:…………………………………………….. Date………………………….

An eligible application requires the submission of: (a) A completed Forage Budget Form (b) A completed application form (c) A completed Co-operative declaration of transport & purchase of forage The closing date for submission of declarations is Monday 30th April-2018.

DECLARATION BY CO-OPERATIVE ON SUPPLY OF FORAGE

It is hereby confirmed that ______, herd number______purchased the following quantity of forage from this Co- operative, through a licensed haulier operating on our behalf, on the date(s) indicated. This forage complies with the requirements of this measure and was sourced in the following county(ies).

County(ies):

Quantity and Type of forage supplied

Forage Material Bale Size Transport Support per Number of Bales Bale € supplied Hay/Straw 4 X 4 8 Haylage/silage 4 X 4 12 Hay/Straw 8 X 4 X 4 14 Hay/Straw 8 X 4 X 3 12 Haylage/silage 8 X 4 X 3 17 Hay/Straw 6 X 3 X 2 3

Date(s) of supply/delivery:______

Signature: Signature printed:

Co-operative: Co-operative stamp:

Completed declarations must be returned within two weeks of final forage delivery to the address below to allow for verification of applications and subsequent reimbursement to eligible farmer applicants:

Fodder Transport Support Measure, Direct Payments Unit, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Old Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.