Scheme to support producer organisations reopens
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has announced the reopening of the Early-Stage Support for Producer Organisations (ESSPO) Scheme.
Producer organisations (POs) are officially recognised entities which aim to increase the collective bargaining power of their members and improve the position of farmers in value chains.
The scheme supports groups during their first three years following recognition.
Grant funding of up to €10,000 per annum is available to cover eligible administrative costs, including hiring personnel and acquiring relevant technology.
A separate grant of up to €3,000 is provided to refund fees for legal and business advice obtained on matters related to PO formation and application submission.
Producer organisations
Minister Heydon emphasised the advantages of recognised producer organisations.
"They facilitate farmer collaboration, knowledge exchange, and undertake joint activities such as bulk purchasing of inputs and machinery, and labour sharing.
"I am particularly heartened by the interest shown to date by the sheep sector and would like to encourage applications from primary producers in other sectors as well," he said.
Eight recognised POs – primarily in the sheep sector – are currently eligible for support under the scheme which is part of Ireland's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan.
"Producer organisations are common in many EU member states, and I think that there is scope for more to gain formal recognition here also.
"My ambition is to increase both participation and the overall number of organisations in Ireland so that farmers can capitalise on their collective bargaining power to improve the efficiency of their holdings," Minister Heydon added.
Applicant POs must be led by producers and have a minimum of 20 active members (beef, milk and sheep sectors) or have a minimum of 5 active members (other sectors).
Full scheme terms and conditions, approved facilitator lists, and application forms are available on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) website.
The application window is open from today for a six-week period, until May 19, 2026.
The department noted that the scheme will continue to accept applications at designated intervals after the current window closes.
