THE inclusion of the equine sector under the TAMS III scheme operated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will undoubtedly have a multi-fold positive impact on our industry over time and is warmly welcomed.

Facilities and safety standards will ultimately improve on many equine premises, large and small, as a result of this vital funding platform. Lives could well be saved by this grant aid.

Fencing, lunge rings, equine housing facilities are now eligible for significant grant aid funding whether you are a big or small player in the industry.

So important too is the recognition by DAFM that the Irish equine sector is a real industry in its own right. The potential for development and further job creation is truly there to be tapped into.

Hats off to the Department officials, Minister Charlie McConalogue (FF) and the Ministers of State Martin Heydon (FG) and Senator Pippa Hackett (Greens) for listening to the voice of the industry, thoroughbred and sport horse, and including the equine sector for funding under this five-year scheme. There are many demands made upon their table and they have duly delivered for our industry which has, at many times in the past, felt excluded and somewhat ignored under successive governments.

Lobbyists have been hard at work for years over TAMS inclusion. We owe all who put their shoulders to the wheel on this one our collective thanks.

TAMS inclusion also heralds a new era of accountability and professionalism from those within the Irish equine sector itself with a ‘buy-in’ towards greater regulation and stronger compliance.

TAMS II represented an investment of some €390 million throughout rural Ireland but in reality, it was far greater due to the multiplier effect.

Vote of confidence

The recognition by both the EU and the DAFM that the equine industry is an intrinsic part of the culture and lifeblood of Ireland - employing thousands of people nationwide - is essential. It’s a vote of confidence in our ever-growing and ever-improving industry.

The last word goes to Minister Martin Heydon, who took part in our sister publication’s Irish Country Living webinar, saying, ‘It’s putting money where the mouth is’.