473. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he is concerned that the current TAMS rules regarding internal slurry agitation points may unintentionally exclude older but otherwise functional livestock buildings from grant support for safety, animal welfare and environmental improvements; whether his Department has assessed the impact of this provision on investment decisions by farmers; and if he will consider amendments to future TAMS schemes to allow a phased transition towards external agitation systems while continuing to support necessary upgrades to existing farm infrastructure. [66680/26]

The Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) which is a key element of the current CAP Strategic Plan allows farmers to invest in their holdings by providing grant aid support to upgrade a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings.

The removal of internal agitation points is a condition for receiving grant aid for any fixed investment upgrades related to the relevant building under TAMS. The TAMS scheme promotes farm safety by facilitating farmers to retrofit safety features in existing farm sheds and facilities. The requirement that internal agitation points be removed as a condition for the grant aiding of other safety features is an important safety measure built into the scheme. Furthermore, the Farm Safety Capital Investment Scheme in TAMS 3 provides grant aid for both the removal of internal agitation points and tank extensions for the express purpose of providing external agitation points.

In view of the fact that farm safety is of paramount importance I would not consider amending the current conditions. Instead, I would encourage farmers to apply to TAMS for the removal of internal agitation points through the Farm Safety Capital Investment Scheme where 60% grant aid is paid on all eligible investments.