The Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) said it is still awaiting “the final details" of the government’s Temporary Energy Support Scheme proposals for agricultural and forestry contractors announced at the weekend.

Ann Gleeson Hanrahan, managing director of the FCI told Agriland: “We have got what we got and it’s the first time ever that agri and forest contractors have gotten anything.

In an FCI statement, Gleeson Hanrahan said: “We understand that the deal will include up to a 20c/L payment to agricultural and forestry contractors as a lump sum based on their fuel usage levels between March 1 2025 and July 31 2025.

“We also understand that contractors will have to produce fuel invoices from that period to verify their usage levels.

"We are encouraging all of our FCI members to start preparing their fuel invoice paperwork now in advance of the opening of the proposed Temporary Energy Support Scheme for our sector."

The FCI managing director noted that the funding will be paid as a single lump sum payment, and that the FCI understands all contractors applying for the funding will be required to be tax compliant, have a VAT registration number and "to have a minimum turnover threshold level".

Definition

FCI said it is currently working with the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) to create a definition of what an agricultural contractor is, and what a forestry contractor is.

FCI national chairperson, Norman Egar said: “It is also important for FCI that at last, following many years of informative meetings with various governments, that the role of the agricultural and forestry contractor has been recognised by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine and the entire Irish agricultural sector.

“We now look forward to the creation of a national registry of agricultural and forestry contractors as we begin the work of the first ever Farm Contractor Working Group established by DAFM, which has been scheduled to hold its first meeting in the coming days.”

Gleeson Hanrahan told Agriland that the "first major meeting" of the working group will be on Monday April 20.

She added: “This is where there will be discussions on support, and the future of our industry will be discussed.”