THE Irish Farmers Association and a Fianna Fáil senator have called on the Government to extend a major agricultural grants scheme to ‘equine farmers’ such as stud farms.

Since it was introduced in 2015, the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) has seen hundreds of millions of euro distributed among Irish farmers to help them develop their facilities, typically by erecting new buildings or purchasing vital equipment.

However, equine enterprises have not been eligible as horse breeders are not regarded by the Department of Agriculture in the same way as farmers producing animals or crops for consumption.

But following years of lobbying by various interest groups, the Government appears to be seriously considering extending the scheme to the equine sector.

Following a recent meeting with Minister for State Martin Heydon, the IFA’s Horse Project Team chairman Richard Kennedy said this week that it was time “farmers who are actively involved in the breeding and rearing of horses (are) included in farm investment support schemes.

“We were pleased that Minister Heydon is supportive of the case that IFA have made to include the horse farming sector under TAMS in the future and we must see this support come to fruition and be available for farmers to apply for in early 2023.

“Reinvestment is essential if we are to see the next generation of farmers continue the tradition and contribution that horses make to the national agricultural output,” he said. “Maintaining the grassroots farmer involved in breeding and rearing of horses is key to the continued success of our equine farming sector, a sector that is world renowned across the world as leaders in producing top-class thoroughbred and sport horses.”

Senator Paul Daly, the Fianna Fáil Seanad spokesperson on Agriculture, added his voice to the campaign for the equine sector be included in TAMS.

“The TAMS scheme should be extended to include equine and allow small family farm breeders access the fund,” he said. “The horse breeding industry is an essential component of rural economies across the country. I’ve spoken with Minister McConalogue who confirmed to me his desire to support the area. I believe he will look favourably at the issue.”