KELT Funding Information - Alternative Agriculture

Exploitation of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries Products

The supports available under Leader Plus in this measure are very much influenced by EU requirements and in particular the Common Agricultural and Fisheries policies.

The overall objective of KELT's supports under this measure is to improve the potential for income generation in the alternative agriculture, horticulture and local produce sectors. To fulfil this objective, KELT will support innovation and work in collaboration with alternative agriculture promoters, horticulture sector projects, local food producers and other relevant agencies to deliver integrated supports in response to the needs of these promoters.

Examples of the actions that are likely to be supported under this measure include:

• Support for eligible alternative agricultural enterprises in response to sustainable market demand.
  
• Support the horticulture sector in respect of collective actions and the development of individual operations to compete more effectively.
  
• Support for local food producers - training, technical assistance.
  
• To work with local food producers including farmers to identify new niche markets for their produce.
  
• To support the establishment of processing facilities in the county, e.g. Blue Berries.
  
• To support the production of local organic foods.
  
• To enable farmers capitalise on off farm employment.

Notes:
Activity that is excluded from grant aid under this measure includes:

• Conventional agricultural production, practices and related activities such as the supply of farm inputs and services, including measures to improve quality of output and improve breeding are not eligible for aid under Leader Plus.
  
• The farm relief service sector is excluded from Leader Plus aid as it is already funded under two Regional Operational Programmes.
  
• Leader Plus cannot duplicate the existing aid schemes available to support investment in agriculture including those schemes contained in the Department's booklet of "Schemes and Services in Agriculture" which contains a comprehensive statement of the rates of aid applicable under the schemes and programmes administered by it.
  
• Leader Plus aid cannot be provided for livestock marts, abattoirs, AI services or milk recording.
  
• Forestry: in the CAP Rural Development plan 2000 - 2006 and in the Operational Programmes for the Border Midlands & West Region and the South & East Region, there is already a comprehensive range of measures to support forestry. Leader Pus cannot duplicate these supports. Furthermore, the provision of aid for Christmas Tree production is not eligible for Leader Plus aid.
  
• Livestock. The purchase of conventional farm livestock can not be aided.
  
• Projects concerning horses. Tourism related projects are eligible under NRDP only. Any other equine projects will only be considered under exceptional circumstances and in consultation with the Department of Agriculture and Food. The availability of similar services/facilities in surrounding counties will be taken into account when considering equine proposals. All projects concerning horses will have to be referred to the Department for clarification.
  
• Poultry and Egg Sector. EU regulations exclude investment aid for the poultry and egg sector with the exception of aid for safeguarding the environment, improvement of hygiene conditions and welfare, provided the is no increase in capacity. The regulation also excludes aid for investment resulting in an increase in the slaughter capacity for poultry.
  
• Milk Quota Regime - Cheese Makers. Support from Leader Plus to these types of projects is subject to EU milk quota regulations.
  
• Horticulture - In general, horticultural production (incl. mushrooms) and related marketing activities that are not eligible for aid. However, in situations where the development can be shown to be clearly innovative and it is certain that funding is not available from another source, small-scale horticultural investments, particularly involving new post-harvest product lines, can be supported by Leader Plus.
  
• All projects covered under the Financial Instruments for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) expenditure are ineligible for Leader funding.
  
• The following are eligible for consideration for funding subject to the rules of Leader funding:
  
  • Tourism related fish projects, for example angling will be considered under the NRDP Rural Tourism measure.
    
  • Targeted fishery training projects will be considered under the Training measure of Leader Plus.
    
  • Project which are eligible under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
    
• Reed beds - Projects involving reed beds are not considered innovative and cannot be funded by Leader Plus.
  
• All projects seeking grant aid from Leader Plus under this measure will be assessed for conformity with 'Good Farming Practice' environmental requirements.

Rates of Aid

The maximum rate of aid will be 50%.

A maximum grant of up to €65,000 will apply to all projects. In exceptional circumstances and subject to the prior approval of the Department, aid up to €100,000 may be granted.