The application deadline for the €6 million On-Farm Badger Biosecurity Scheme has been extended by one week.

The deadline had originally been set for Sunday (May 31).

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has advised eligible farmers who wish to participate in the scheme that the closing date for farmer applications has been extended to midnight of the following Sunday (June 7).

The €6 million scheme, part of the government’s wider TB Action Plan, is aimed at helping farmers put additional biosecurity measures in place on their farms.

Under the scheme, farmers can receive grant support towards the cost of fencing off badger setts and buying specialised feed and water troughs designed to reduce contact between badgers and cattle.

Applications for the scheme must be submitted by email to the department.

Under the scheme, farmers can apply for grant aid of 40% on approved biosecurity materials, up to a maximum eligible spend of €2,000, excluding VAT.

The minimum amount of investment eligible for approval under the scheme is €500, excluding VAT, per herdowner.

The department said there is a maximum of 7,500 eligible applications allowed under this scheme, which will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

To qualify, applicants must have submitted a 2025 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application and have cattle on their holding this year.

Farmers will be issued an approval letter from the department following an examination of their eligibility.

Once approval is granted, farmers will be able to purchase approved materials from participating co-ops and agri-retailers between July 1 and August 31, 2026.

Only purchases from approved co-ops or agri-merchants will be considered for support under the scheme.

A list of eligible co-ops and agri-merchants has been published on the department’s website.

Eligible items under the scheme include water troughs, feeding troughs, fencing posts and wire.