Tillage farmers encouraged to apply for fuel support scheme
Teagasc is strongly advising all tillage farmers and contractors to apply for the government's Fuel Income Support Scheme.
The matter was discussed at a spring crops walk hosted by Co. Donegal grower, Michael Grant earlier this week on his farm at Manorcunningham in the east of the county.
Martin McCullough from Teagac’s Carndonagh office, explained: “The scope of the scheme takes account of the fuel used by farmers and contractors during the calendar year of 2025.
“However, it has been agreed that the measure can reflect back to October 2024, which would take account of farmers and contractors who forward buy fuel during the autumn period.
“Applicants for the scheme must have certified accounts, which confirm the purchases made during 2025.
“Total accredited volumes will then be divided by five, with the subsidy then paid at a rate of 20c/L on the basis of this final figure.”
However, a number of grey areas remain with regard to the operation of the new measure.
Contractor services
A case in point is the issue of farmers who also supply contracting services.
McCullough said: “In such instances we are advising that applications should be submitted within the farming element of the scheme.
“In any event, all contracting operations should be fully tax compliant with Revenue, where the support scheme is concerned.”
A number of farmers attending the crop walk had confirmed they have already applied for the scheme, with all indicating that they found the application process quite straightforward.
The deadline for the Fuel Income Support Scheme is Wednesday, May 27.
Assessment
Teagasc is indicating that the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM) will assess a proportion of the applications received.
This may include a matching of BISS application data with the scale of the monies requested.
Follow-up phone calls involving DAFM officials and individual applicants may also be included in the assessment process.
The government is making €100 million available to fund the new support scheme.
A number of farmers taking part in the crop walk asked what would happen if the measure is over-subscribed
The general view expressed by many in attendance was the support rate per litre of fuel would be reduced accordingly under these circumstances.
Reference was also made to the prospect of the tillage sector having to accept another year of extremely low margins in 2026.
Given this backdrop, there was total agreement amongst all the farmers present on the need for DAFM to get the support monies out to growers as quickly as possible.
