Farm Modernisation APPLICATION ARRANGEMENTS EXPLANATORY BOOKLET LIST OF ELIGIBLE ITEMS APPLICATION FORM

Transcription

1 Farm Modernisation Programme Farm Modernisation TRANCHE 3 INFORMATION PACK: APPLICATION ARRANGEMENTS EXPLANATORY BOOKLET LIST OF ELIGIBLE ITEMS APPLICATION FORM Please read all documents before completing your Farm Modernisation Programme Tranche 3 Application Form.

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3 Farm Modernisation Farm Modernisation Programme TRANCHE 3 This information pack contains the following items: Application Arrangements Explanatory Booklet List of Eligible Items Hard Copy Application Form Please read all documents before completing your Farm Modernisation Programme Tranche 3 Application Countryside Agri-Rural Partnership Farm Modernisation Programme 97 Moy Road, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone. BT71 7DX HELPLINE Telelphone Number:

4 FARM MODERNISATION PROGRAMME (FMP) TRANCHE 3 Application Arrangements The third tranche of financial support under the FMP will open for receipt of applications on: Tuesday 4th September 2012 And close at 4.00pm on Friday 19th October 2012 The Managing Agent for the Delivery of the FMP Tranche 3 is: Countryside Agri-Rural Partnership Farm Modernisation Programme 97 Moy Road Dungannon Co. Tyrone BT71 7DX HELPLINE Telephone Number: The Tranche 3 Information Pack comprising Explanatory Booklet, List of Eligible Items and Application Form can be downloaded from the following websites: Alternatively the Information Pack can be obtained from Countryside Agri-Rural Partnership at the above address or the DARD offices listed. Applications can be made online at or hard copy applications may be posted or delivered to Countryside Agri Rural Partnership or returned to any of the DARD offices listed. Countryside Agri-Rural Partnership will operate a Helpline to assist you with any query on the FMP Tranche 3 requirements or on how to complete your application. It will be able to direct you to an organisation near you that will provide broadband access to facilitate the submission of an online application. In addition it will be able to provide the information pack in alternative formats, e.g. Braille, large print and audiocassette. Commercial organisations may also be able to assist you to complete your application. 4

5 DARD OFFICES Armagh Ballymena Coleraine A:tek Building Kilpatrick House Crown Buildings Edenaveys Industrial Estate High Street Artillery Road Newry Road Town Parks Millburn Edenaveys Ballymena Coleraine Armagh BT43 6DP BT52 2AJ BT60 1NF Downpatrick Dungannon Enniskillen Rathkeltair House Crown Buildings Inishkeen House Market Street Thomas Street Killyhevlin Industrial Estate Demesne of Down Acre Drumcroo Killyhevlin Downpatrick Dungannon Enniskillen BT30 6LZ BT70 1HR BT74 4EJ Londonderry Magherafelt Mallusk Crown Buildings DARD Office Unit Castleton House Asylum Road Meadowlane Shopping Centre 15 Trench Road Edenballymore Moneymore Road Grange of Mallusk Derry/Londonderry Townparks of Magherafelt Mallusk BT48 7EA Magherafelt Newtownabbey BT45 6PR BT36 4TY Newry Newtownards Omagh Glenree House 2B Portaferry Road Sperrin House Unit 2 Springhill Road Commons Sedan Avenue Carnbane Industrial Estate Newtownards Lisnamallard Carnbane BT23 8NN Omagh Newry BT79 7AQ BT35 6EF Please note that: During the application period DARD staff or Managing Agent Staff will not be able to check the applications for completeness or eligibility. Applications received before the opening date or after the closure date will not be assessed and will be returned to the applicant. Applications will be assessed in accordance with the criteria laid out in the Tranche 3 Explanatory Booklet. DARD reserves the right to vary the closing date. In such circumstances, this will be announced through the appropriate channels. Only one application is permitted per farm business. 5

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7 Farm Modernisation Rural Development Programme Growing Opportunities Together Farm Modernisation Programme TRANCHE 3 EXPLANATORY BOOKLET Please read this Tranche 3 Explanatory Booklet before completing your Farm Modernisation Programme Tranche 3 Application.

8 FARM MODERNISATION PROGRAMME Foreword The Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme (NIRDP) is the single successor to the Rural Development Programme and the Rural Development Regulation Plan The NIRDP will be funded through a single Rural Fund - European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) - based around four distinct themes or Axes under which rural development programmes need to operate. The EU regulatory framework for supporting rural development during the period is Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005. Our commitment to a Farm Modernisation Programme is set out in Axis 1 Measure 3 of the NIRDP. As part of the public consultation process, feedback was received across a range of organisations which endorsed the need for this EAFRD funded Programme. 8

9 FARM MODERNISATION PROGRAMME Contents SECTION 1 Definitions and Abbreviations 10 2 Introduction 11 3 Who is eligible for financial support? 13 PAGE 4 What items are eligible for financial support, how much financial support is available? 14 5 What is not eligible for financial support? 16 6 Liability 17 7 Important points to remember when completing your Farm Modernisation Programme Tranche 3 application 18 8 How to complete your Farm Modernisation Programme Tranche 3 application 20 9 How will my application be assessed? What happens when my application has been assessed? Can I make changes to my application? How do I make a claim for financial support? How will payment be made to successful Project Promoters? Disallowances, reductions, penalties and recovery of financial support On-going monitoring and evaluation Section 75 equality monitoring Relevant EU legislation and directives Further advice 43 Fraud 44 9

10 SECTION 1 Definitions and Abbreviations In this booklet agriculture Includes horticulture, fruit growing, seed growing, dairy farming, livestock breeding or keeping, the use of land as grazing, meadowland, osier land, reed beds, market gardens, and nursery grounds. application An application for financial support under the Farm Modernisation Programme Regulations (Northern Ireland) farm business A business engaged in agriculture and which has satisfied the criteria for the award of a DARD Category 1 Farm Business Identification Number (See Section 3). List of Eligible Items The items of plant, machinery and equipment eligible for financial support under the Farm Modernisation Programme Tranche 3. Project Promoter The registered member of the farm business named in the application form and to whom a Letter of Offer for financial support will be issued if the application is approved. This person will be acting on behalf of the farm business, and all payments and correspondence will be issued to the farm business. registered member A person who is registered by DARD as a member of a farm business. BACS Bankers Automated Clearing System DARD Department of Agriculture and Rural Development EAFRD European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development EU European Union FB1 New Farm Business Application Form FMP Farm Modernisation Programme NI Northern Ireland NIRDP Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme NISRA Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency VAT Value Added Tax the Agent Countryside Agri-Rural Partnership is the authorised Managing Agent acting on behalf of DARD to implement the Farm Modernisation Programme. 10

11 SECTION 2 Introduction Farm Modernisation Programme (FMP) FMP aims to contribute to the competitiveness of agricultural and horticultural businesses in NI. This Measure will provide support for farm businesses to modernise their holdings and improve their production techniques by providing financial support for plant, machinery and equipment from a pre-defined List of Eligible Items across six priority investment areas. The List of Eligible Items is included as part of the FMP Tranche 3 Information Pack. Priority Investment Areas Six key priority investment areas have been identified for support through the purchase of new modernising plant, machinery and equipment to achieve the aims of the Programme. These priority investment areas are: Introduction of new technologies and innovation; Improved animal health and welfare; Increased hygiene control and product storage; Enhanced occupational safety and business efficiency; Increased energy efficiency; and Enhanced environmental status. Through investment in these areas the Programme will aim to achieve the following objectives: Increase in gross added value in supported holdings 3% Increase in economic growth 2% Increase in labour productivity 2% Funding will be awarded over a number of funding periods or tranches. Managing Agent The Farm Modernisation Programme is administered by our Agent, Countryside Agri-Rural Partnership. You can contact them at: Countryside Agri-Rural Partnership Farm Modernisation Programme 97 Moy Road Dungannon Co. Tyrone BT71 7DX Helpline Telephone Number: Fax Number: Address: modernisation@countrysiderural.co.uk Text Phone: Application You will need to complete the FMP Tranche 3 Application Form, either online or in hard copy format, if you want to apply for financial support under the third tranche of the FMP. We must apply the rules of the FMP in line with EU Regulations. If you do not meet these rules your application may not be eligible or any payment may be reduced. You should make sure that you fully understand and comply with the Programme requirements which are summarised in this Explanatory Booklet. In this Tranche 3 Explanatory Booklet we have tried to give you as much information as possible about the FMP. You should note that it is not a full statement or interpretation of the law and it cannot replace detailed advice on specific questions about which you should contact the Agent. We reserve the right to make changes to the FMP requirements during the lifetime of the Programme. 11

12 You can also find this information on the following websites: The application form may be completed online via the EU grants website: The application form is also available in hard copy. The hard copy is included in this information pack and may also be downloaded from either the DARD or the Agent s website as detailed above. We, and the Agent, are committed to maintaining and improving the quality of service that is provided in management of the FMP. You can find DARD s Customer Service Standards by referring to our website: In summary the main changes which have been introduced for the FMP Tranche 3 are: The List of Eligible Items and maximum financial support levels have been revised; For farm businesses which were successful under Tranche 1 and/or Tranche 2 the amount of financial support payable in total under Tranche 1, Tranche 2 and Tranche 3 cannot exceed 4,000 All eligible applications received during the application period will be scored against the FMP Tranche 3 selection criteria. The requirements of Tranche 3 of the FMP detailed in this Explanatory Booklet supersede those requirements detailed in the Explanatory Booklet for the First and Second Tranches of the Programme. 12

13 SECTION 3 Who is eligible for financial support? Only farm businesses that have a DARD Category 1 Farm Business Identification Number are eligible to apply to the FMP. This is the unique six digit reference number already held by each farm business in NI which has received Single Farm Payment or payments under schemes such as the Countryside Management Scheme or Less Favoured Area Compensatory Allowances Scheme. Financial support under the FMP to purchase an individual piece of new plant, machinery or equipment can only be claimed by one farm business. If you are a new farm business you must have first obtained this Farm Business Identification Number before an application can be accepted. If you have not already done so you should contact your local DARD office as soon as possible to obtain advice and the New Farm Business (FB1) application form. We cannot accept any responsibility if a Category 1 Farm Business Identification Number is not issued before Tranche 3 of the FMP closes for applications. 13

14 SECTION 4 What items are eligible for financial support, how much financial support is available? You must decide which items of new plant, machinery or equipment you wish to purchase from the List of Eligible Items. We reserve the right to remove items from or add items to this list at any time during the lifetime of the Programme. Financial support is only available towards the purchase cost of new items that appear on the List of Eligible Items. This list is divided into the six key priority investment areas: A. Introduction of new technologies and innovation; B. Improved animal health and welfare; C. Increased hygiene control and product storage; D. Enhanced occupational safety and business efficiency; E. Increased energy efficiency; and F. Enhanced environmental status. A copy of the List of Eligible Items is included in the FMP Tranche 3 Information Pack and is also available for download on the websites listed in Section 2. Each item has an associated unique Item Code. A maximum amount of financial support payable on each item, net of VAT, has been included on the Tranche 3 List of Eligible Items and is associated with each item code. The actual amount payable will be based on actual purchase costs incurred and will be subject to the criteria and financial support limits listed below; You may select items for purchase across all of the key priority investment areas. We will only pay financial support up to the maximum amount of financial support allowable for each item as detailed in the List of Eligible Items or 40% of the paid invoice price, whichever is the lesser. The maximum FMP financial support payable in Tranche 3 per farm business will be 4,000. If the total eligible cost of the eligible items you wish to purchase exceeds 10,000 the maximum financial support you may receive is 4,000. You must apply for a minimum of 500 financial support (that is, a minimum eligible spend of 1,250) in your application. If you received financial support under Tranche 1 and/or Tranche 2 of the FMP, you may apply to Tranche 3 of the FMP provided the sum of the financial support applied for in Tranche 3 of the FMP and the amount of financial support you were paid in Tranche 1 and/or Tranche 2 does not exceed 4,000. If you received payment of more than 3,500 under Tranche 1 and/or Tranche 2 you will not be eligible for financial support under Tranche 3. If debt owed to DARD was recovered from a previous FMP payment, the value of the financial support amount found to be eligible from your previous FMP claim will count towards the amount of financial support you were paid in Tranche 1 and/or Tranche 2. If, the total amount of financial support paid in Tranche 1 and/or Tranche 2 plus the amount of financial assistance sought in Tranche 3 is found to exceed 4,000, the Agent will reduce proportionately the amount of financial support sought on all the items included in your Tranche 3 application so that the total amount of financial support does not exceed the maximum financial limits of the Programme. Details of financial support already paid to your farm business can be obtained by telephoning the FMP Helpline. If your application is successful the maximum amount of financial support payable for each item will be detailed in the Project Schedule at Annex 1 of your Letter of Offer. 14

15 You are not required to provide any quotations with your application or with your claim if your application is successful. However, you will be required to provide various information to support your claim - please refer to Section 12. DARD reserves the right to determine the maximum amount of financial support allowable for each item on the List of Eligible Items. If your application for financial support is successful and you accept an offer of financial support you will be required to retain any items of plant, machinery or equipment for which you receive funding for a period of not less than 5 years from the date of your Letter of Offer. Should you dispose of any items within this period or default on any of the conditions contained within your Letter of Offer, then we will seek to clawback any funding awarded. VAT If your farm business is not VAT registered, you may apply for financial support on the VAT element of the purchase price of eligible items provided you submit a signed declaration, that the farm business is not registered with HM Revenue and Customs for reimbursement of VAT. For those businesses not registered for VAT, financial support on the VAT element will be paid at up to 40% of the amount of VAT shown on the purchase invoice, provided the total amount of financial support applied for is at least 500 (net of VAT) but does not exceed the maximum amounts payable under the FMP. 15

16 SECTION 5 What is not eligible for financial support? The FMP will only provide financial support for the purchase of the items detailed in the Tranche 3 List of Eligible Items. Financial support will not be available for other items or associated costs incurred such as construction, delivery, installation, training, subscription charges, extended warranties, insurance, maintenance, running costs, labour and so on. If you are in any doubt about the eligibility of any item you wish to purchase you should check with the Agent before making an application or, if your application is successful, before submitting a claim form. Items of plant, machinery or equipment, which have been supplied by the Project Promoter to his/her own farm business are not eligible for financial support. Second hand equipment is not eligible for financial support. Financial support will only be provided for items used in agricultural businesses. Any item used in full or in part for other businesses or domestic purposes is not eligible for financial support. Items of equipment that have received financial support from other Programmes/ financial support schemes are not eligible for funding. Financial charges or bank interest charges incurred as a result of purchasing equipment are not eligible for financial support. Invoices dated, expenditure incurred or payments made before the date of a Letter of Offer or after the date by which the claim for financial support should be received by the Agent, will not be eligible. VAT If your farm business is VAT registered, you cannot receive financial support on the VAT element of the purchase price of any item as VAT is a recoverable tax. Any representations to allow payment of financial support against the VAT element will not be considered. Please also see Section

17 SECTION 6 Liability We, or our Agent, shall not be liable for any injury, damage or loss (of any kind) howsoever caused relating to your project. It is the Project Promoter s responsibility to determine the suitability of the modernisation investment for their farm business. The inclusion of any item in the List of Eligible Items for financial support under the FMP does not constitute our endorsement of that item. Any approval or payment of financial support under the FMP will not imply acceptance by us or our Agent of any responsibility as regards the adequacy for its purpose of any investment that is the subject of such approval or payment. Neither does approval or payment of financial support under the FMP represent a recommendation by us of the quality or suitability for its purpose of any product used in the investment. failure or malfunction should be dealt with by the Project Promoter and supplier. It is advisable for you to be insured against all risk of injury, damage or loss arising from whatever cause in the course of your project. Any additional expense which may be incurred because of failure to insure or inadequate insurance will not be eligible for financial support. It is the Project Promoter s responsibility to ensure that all plant, machinery and equipment for which financial support is awarded is installed and operated in accordance with the manufacturer s recommendations. Project Promoters should therefore consider the health and safety implications of any items that they are applying for and should make themselves aware of how to use any equipment which they are considering purchasing under FMP Tranche 3. We, or our Agent, will not be liable for the failure or malfunction of any plant, machinery or equipment funded or approved for funding under the FMP. In such circumstances, any such 17

18 SECTION 7 Important points to remember when completing your Farm Modernisation Programme Tranche 3 application You are only allowed to submit one application per farm business under Tranche 3 of the FMP, irrespective of the method of application (i.e. online submission or hard copy). All questions must be completed. It will be the Project Promoter s responsibility to ensure that their application is submitted within the FMP Tranche 3 application period. Applications will not be accepted prior to the official opening or after the official closing of the Programme. Applications received outside this application period will not be eligible. Ensure your application is filled in completely and accurately. The information you provide in your application will be used to assess your project for financial support. Making mistakes may render your application ineligible. Applicants are encouraged to keep a copy of their application for future reference. The online application system will enable you to print a copy of the completed application form (please see Section 8). For hard copy applications: Please use black ink to complete your form and ensure that you write clearly inside the boxes. Do not use correction fluid. If you need to make a change, cross out and initial the original entry and enter the amendment. You must sign your completed FMP application. If returning your application by post, please ensure you pay the correct postage charge; if you do not, your application may be delayed in the post. Proof of posting will not be accepted as proof of delivery. The application must be received by the Managing Agent on or before the closing date. Acknowledgement Letter Online applications - once you have successfully submitted your application an acknowledgement letter will be displayed with an option to print off a copy. This may also be saved on your computer. We advise you to retain a copy of this acknowledgement letter. Hard copy applications - the Agent will acknowledge receipt of your application, usually within 10 working days. The acknowledgement letter advises that your application form has been received. It is not an indication that your application has been approved. If your application has been approved you will receive a Letter of Offer of Financial Support. A project will only be eligible for financial support where the date(s) of invoice(s), expenditure incurred and payment(s) made are after the date of the Letter of Offer and before the date by which the claim for financial support should be received by the Agent. European legislation requires DARD to publicise details of all EAFRD financial support awarded/ paid out to legal persons. 18

19 Data Disclosure DARD takes data protection and Freedom of Information issues seriously. It takes care to ensure that any personal information supplied to it is dealt with in a way which complies with the requirements of the Data Protection Act This means that any personal information you supply will be processed principally for the purpose for which it has been provided. However, DARD may also use it for other legitimate purposes in line with the Data Protection Act 1998 and Freedom of Information legislation. These include: Completion of a FMP application does not mean that we are under any obligation to make you an offer of financial support. You must not purchase any plant, machinery or equipment for which you are seeking financial support until you have received and accepted a Letter of Offer of financial support. Administration of the Common Agricultural Policy and other aid schemes; The production and safety of food; Management of land and other environmental controls; Animal health and welfare; Occupational health and welfare; Compilation of statistics; Disclosure to other organisations when required to do so; and Disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 or the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 where such disclosure is in the public interest. 19

20 SECTION 8 How to complete your Farm Modernisation Programme Tranche 3 application You are only allowed to submit one application per farm business under Tranche 3 of the FMP, irrespective of the method of application. You should telephone Countryside Agri-Rural Partnership on if you need help in completing your FMP application online. A ON-LINE APPLICATIONS via the EU Grants Website (E-Communication) Preparation You should telephone Countryside Agri-Rural Partnership on if you need help in completing your FMP application online. To register on-line you will need to have an account. Online applications to Tranche 3 of the FMP can be made on the European Union Funding Programmes Grants Application website. This can be accessed at or by following the application links on the Agent website or the NIRDP website (please see Section 2 for details). Only online applications made on the EU Funding Programmes Grants Application website will attract marks under the E-communication selection criterion. On the EU Funding Programmes Grants Application Home Page click on the Grant Application/Tender link. Registering If you have not previously applied online to any EU funding Programme you will need to Register. Please click on the Register link. Registering a username and password protects your application from being accessed and amended by unauthorised personnel. If you have already registered a username and password you do not need to register again, go to Making a New Application below. Please enter your contact details, address and Login details in the registration screen. All mandatory fields must be completed. These are indicated by a red asterisk(*). When completing your contact details you will be required to provide an address. If you do not have an account you may use the following generic address dardfmpt3@gmail.com. However, if you use this address and you later forget or lose your Username and Password you will not be able to retrieve them. Please keep a copy of your Username and Password for future reference. [If you have forgotten your login password you should click on the Forgotten your password? link on the login home screen. Please note that to reset your password that you will need the answers you provided to the security questions which were asked when you initially created your application. Once this process has been completed your new login password will be automatically sent to your address. If you registered using the generic address dardfmpt3@gmail.com you will not be able to retrieve your password. If you have forgotten your username you will need to click on the Help and Support link on the left hand side of the login home screen and follow the instructions provided. If you have already submitted an application it is not possible to re-apply using a different username and password as only one application per DARD Farm Business Identification Number will be accepted.] When you have entered all your registration details click the Submit Details button. When you have successfully registered click on the Click here to log in link. You should note that if the screen is inactive for longer than 15 minutes you will be automatically logged off. If you then wish to continue you will be prompted to enter your username and password again and any entries which you have not already saved will be lost. 20

21 Making a New Application Enter your Username and Password and click on the Login button. Click on the New Application/Tender button. You can access the Farm Modernisation Programme Application screen by either of two routes: A Click on the green DARD RDP FARM MODERNISATION PROG CLICK HERE button. Or alternatively by B Working through a series of 4 drop down boxes (i) On the first box click on Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme (ii) When the second box appears click on Axis 1 Improving the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry industries (iii) When the third box appears click on Measure 1.3: Modernisation of agricultural holdings (iv) When the fourth box appears click on Farm Modernisation Programme Apply During the opening period of Tranche 3 of the Farm Modernisation Progamme, a screen will appear providing contact details of the Agent, click on the Apply button. Preface A Preface screen will appear providing important information. Please read this carefully before deciding if you wish to progress with your application. If you now wish to continue click on the Continue button. The following 5 tabs will now appear on the screen: Applicant Details; EU Financial Support & VAT; Succession Opportunity and EU Monitoring; Project Details; and Declaration. You will need to enter information into various fields contained within each of these tabs. Guidance notes to help you complete the application can be accessed by clicking on the blue? link or the Help button. Mandatory fields are marked with a red (*), you must complete these fields. Tab 1 APPLICANT DETAILS Please enter the six digit DARD Category 1 Farm Business Identification Number of the Project Promoter. (This number is unique to your farm business and falls within the range and We have already entered the first of the six digits for you). Please enter the title, name, address (including postcode) and contact details of the Applicant. The Agent may use the contact telephone number provided to send text messages and reminders related to your FMP application. Please ensure the number provided is correct. If your farm has a separate company or business name you should also enter this Farm Business Name when prompted. Only applications in the name of a registered member of the farm business for the stated DARD Farm Business Identification Number will be eligible. These should be the details at which we will normally be able to contact you. If a message appears advising that the postcode you entered is not found, please check that you have entered the correct postcode. If the postcode is still not accepted, select the Other button and continue. If your main farm business is located at a different address from the contact address or if the items you intend to purchase under the Programme will be routinely located at a different address select the Yes option and enter details of this address. Only farm businesses located within NI are eligible for support. When Applicant Details have been completed click on Continue to EU Financial Support & VAT button. 21

22 SECTION 8 How to complete your Farm Modernisation Programme Tranche 3 application Tab 2 EU FINANCIAL SUPPORT & VAT EU funding is only awarded to projects that are dependent upon and which could not proceed without the financial support made available from the NIRDP. Need for Financial Support To help us determine your need for financial support for your project, from the drop down menu, please click on the option that indicates what would happen if financial support was refused. Projects which would go ahead as planned without FMP financial support will not be eligible. Other Funding Article 24 of Commission Regulation (EU) No 65/2011 requires us to undertake reliability checks with reference to any previous co-financed operations since You must let us know about any other EU grant assistance your farm business has received since We will screen all applications for previous or current awards to ensure that the maximum financial support ceilings are not exceeded. We may also share information with other funders to prevent duplication of funding and to ensure that the maximum benefit is achieved from financial support awards. From the drop down menu please confirm if you have previously received any EU grant assistance since If Yes please enter as much detail as possible in the text box provided. VAT Registration Please indicate if your farm business is VAT registered by clicking on the appropriate option from the drop down menu. If your farm business is not VAT registered please indicate, by clicking on the appropriate option from the drop down menu, if you wish to claim financial support for the VAT element of your project as a non recoverable tax. If your application is successful you will be required to make a signed declaration that your farm business is not registered with HM Revenue and Customs for the purpose of recovery of VAT. Under European Funding regulations, we cannot pay financial support on taxation that is recoverable by a Project Promoter. Please also refer to sections 4 and 5 of this Explanatory Booklet for further details. When EU Financial Support & VAT details have been completed click on the Continue to Succession Opportunity & EU Monitoring button. Tab 3 SUCCESSION OPPORTUNITY & EU MONITORING We want to know if any registered members of your farm business were under 40 years old on 31 January We are also required, by the EU, to monitor how the FMP will impact on the rural community. You must answer all of these questions. Succession Opportunity Question 1 If you or any other current registered member of your farm business was under 40 years of age on 31 January 2012, marks will be awarded under the Succession Opportunity selection criterion. To qualify for these marks this person must, by 31 January 2012 have been a registered member of the farm business making the application. If your application is successful you will be required to enclose with the Form of Acceptance of the Letter of Offer, a copy of the birth certificate, passport or driving licence of this member of your farm business. The original documentation providing proof of the date of birth of this person must be available for examination during any on-farm inspection visit. Select and click on the option appropriate to your farm business from the drop down list. If you selected Yes you must now insert details of the registered member of the farm business who was aged under 40 on 31 January Farm Type Question 2 - From the drop down list, click on the description to select the option that best describes your farm type. Question 3 - Click on the appropriate radio button to indicate if your enterprise is Organic or Non-Organic. Farm Business Status Question 4 - From the drop down list, click on the description to select the option that best describes your farm business status. If none of 22

23 the options are appropriate, click on the Other option and insert details in the text box that appears. Gender of Applicant Question 5 - From the drop down list, click on the description to select the option appropriate to the gender of the Applicant. Age of Applicant Question 6 - From the drop down list, click on the description to select the option which best identifies the age range appropriate to the Applicant. Area of land farmed Question 7 Please enter the area of each type of land you farm in hectares. When the EU Monitoring details have been completed click on the Continue Project Details button. Tab 4 PROJECT DETAILS To complete your project details you need to refer to the Tranche 3 List of Eligible Items. Only the items listed may be included in your application. Financial support will only be paid on the purchase costs of individual new items up to the maximum amount payable for each item, as also detailed in the FMP Tranche 3 List of Eligible Items. This amount is exclusive of VAT. To view the List of Eligible Items, follow one of the links contained within the guidance notes on the left hand side of the screen, alternatively, click on the View Equipment List button. Depending on your computer browser settings, an information bar may appear alerting you that the List opens as a pop-up and this has been blocked. You should click on the yellow information bar at the top of your screen and select the Temporarily Allow Pop-ups option. To select an item for which you wish to apply for financial support click on the Click here to add an item of equipment button. Key Priority Investment Area Each eligible item has been assigned to one of the six key priority investment areas that the Farm Modernisation Programme targets. Click on a key priority investment area. Equipment Item The items associated with that key priority investment area will appear as a drop down list. Please select item. To see the full description of the item you should move your cursor to hover over the item. The Degree of Modernisation Band, abbreviated as Mod Band allocated to each item, will be included in the item description. Click on the item you wish to apply for financial support. Minimum Quantity The minimum quantity for which you may apply for financial support will appear. Quantity Sought Enter the quantity of the item you wish to purchase. This cannot be less than the minimum 23

24 SECTION 8 How to complete your Farm Modernisation Programme Tranche 3 application quantity advised for that item. Maximum Financial Support Available per Item The maximum financial support that is available towards the purchase of one unit of that item will appear. Financial Support Sought Enter the total amount of financial support you seek for that item, that is, the. financial support per unit item (cannot exceed the maximum financial support per individual unit of the item) multiplied by the quantity you seek. This total amount must not exceed 4,000. To confirm the item, quantity required and financial assistance sought for the item click on the Confirm button. A summary screen will appear which details all the item(s) for which you are applying for financial support. An Edit and a Delete button are available at this point should you wish to make an amendment. If you wish to select another item click on the Click here to add another item button and repeat the process. A message will appear if the total amount of financial support sought exceeds 4,000 and you will not be able to add the item to your application. You must reduce the amount of financial support on one or more items to ensure that the total amount of financial support is reduced to 4,000. To return to the summary screen to view selected items click on the Cancel button. If you received financial support under Tranche 1 and/or Tranche 2 you must subtract from 4,000 the amount already paid to you in order to determine the maximum amount of support you can now apply for under Tranche 3 for example if under Tranche 1 you received payment of 1,500 the maximum amount you can now apply for is 2,500. If you are unsure of the amount of financial support you have already received under FMP you can receive details of previous payment(s) by telephoning the FMP Helpline. If you apply for more financial support than you are eligible, the Agent will reduce proportionately the amount of financial support on all items in your Tranche 3 application so that the total amount does not exceed 4,000. When you are satisfied with the project details you have entered, click on the Continue to Declaration button. Tab 5 DECLARATION Please read this section carefully. False declarations may lead to disqualification from the Programme, liability to refund any payment that is made and possible prosecution. Some or all of the information provided by you may be disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act Please note that for monitoring purposes you may be required to make available, at some future stage, pre project and post project investment accounts which have been produced and verified by a professionally qualified accountant. Failure to make these accounts available, if requested, will result in withdrawal or repayment of FMP financial support. You must indicate your agreement with the declaration by clicking on the I agree box and populate it with a tick. If you do not agree with the declaration your application will not be eligible for support and you will be unable to submit it online. If you wish to review your application and/ or make a change to it you can now do so by clicking on any of the 5 tabs and adjusting the relevant field. If you wish to save your application without submitting it so that you can return to it later, click on the Save Application button on the left hand side of your screen. If you have completed your application and now wish to submit it, click on the green Submit Application button on the left hand side of your screen. If you have not completed all mandatory fields, or if you have applied for less than the minimum financial support level of 500 or more than the maximum financial support level of 4,000 a warning box will appear. Click the OK button to review your application and amend as necessary. 24

25 If all mandatory fields have been completed and you have adhered to the maximum and minimum financial support limits, you will be reminded that: If your application is successful, financial support will only be awarded to the items for which you sought funding and which will be detailed in your Letter of Offer; Before submitting your application you must ensure that you have correctly selected those items for which you seek financial support; Only one application can be submitted per DARD Farm Business Identification Number; If you submit an application you cannot then amend it; If you later wish to make a change or correction you must withdraw the application and submit a new application before the FMP Tranche 3 application closing date; and If you wish to withdraw an application you must do so in writing to Countryside Agri- Rural Partnership (please refer to section 11). If you are satisfied that your application is correct click the Submit button, otherwise click the Cancel button to return to the main screen. Upon submitting your application an acknowledgement screen will appear confirming receipt of the application and your unique application reference number. A print option will also allow you to print this acknowledgement letter. We recommend that you keep a note of your unique application reference number and retain a copy of the acknowledgement letter for future reference. You may also save a copy of the acknowledgement letter to your computer. Click on the Continue buttons to return to the home page. By selecting the Grant Application/ Tender button, you will see your application and associated status. If you click on the application, you will be prompted to print off a copy. We recommend you keep a copy of your submitted application for future reference. Depending on your computer browser settings, an information bar may appear alerting you that the application and/or acknowledgement letter opens as a pop-up and this has been blocked. You should click on the yellow information bar at the top of your screen and select the Temporarily Allow Pop-ups option. You can exit from the Application Website at any time by clicking on the Sign Out button and return to it later. You must remember your username and password details. B HARD COPY APPLICATIONS You should telephone Countryside Agri-Rural Partnership on if you need help in completing your hard copy FMP application. Preparation You will need the following pieces of information about your farm business: DARD Farm Business Identification Number; Postcode; The name and date of birth of any member of the farm business registered with DARD and under 40 years of age on 31 January 2012; and The total area of land you farm (including conacre), broken down by land type, in hectares. Question 1. Applicant Details of the Project Promoter (a) Please provide your six digit DARD Category 1 Farm Business Identification Number. (This number is unique to your farm business and falls within the range and We have already entered the first of the six digits for you). (b) (e) Please provide the name, address (including postcode) and contact details of the Applicant. The Agent may use the contact telephone number provided to send text messages and reminders related to your FMP application. Please ensure the number provided is correct. If your farm has a separate company or business name you should also enter this Farm Business Name. Only an application in the name of a registered member of the farm business 25

26 SECTION 8 How to complete your Farm Modernisation Programme Tranche 3 application holding the DARD Farm Business Identification Number entered at Q1(a) will be eligible. These should be the details at which we will normally be able to contact you. (f) If your main farm business is located at a different address from the contact address provided at Q1(d) or if the items you intend to purchase under the Programme will be routinely located at a different address from that detailed at Q1(d) then please provide details. Only farm businesses located within NI are eligible for support. Question 2. EU Financial Support and VAT Registration (a) Need for EU Financial Support EU funding is only awarded to projects that are dependent upon and which could not proceed without the financial support made available from the NIRDP. To help us gauge your need for financial support for your project please indicate what would happen if financial support was refused. Projects which would go ahead as planned without FMP financial support will not be eligible. Tick one box only. (b) Other Funding Article 24 of Commission Regulation (EU) No 65/2011 requires us to undertake reliability checks with reference to any previous co-financed operations since You must let us know about any other EU grant assistance your farm business has received since We will screen all applications for previous or current awards to ensure that the maximum financial support ceilings are not exceeded. We may also share information with other funders to prevent duplication of funding and to ensure that the maximum benefit is achieved from financial support awards. (c) VAT Registration Please indicate if your farm business is VAT registered. If your farm business is not VAT registered please indicate if you wish to claim financial support for the VAT element of your project as a non recoverable tax. If your application is successful you will be required to make a signed declaration that your farm business is not registered with HM Revenue and Customs for the purpose of recovery of VAT. Under European Funding regulations, we cannot pay financial support on taxation that is recoverable by a Project Promoter. Please see Sections 4 and 5 of this Explanatory Booklet. Question 3. Succession Opportunity Information and EU Monitoring (a) If you or any other current registered member of your farm business was under 40 years of age on 31 January 2012, marks will be awarded under the Succession Opportunity selection criterion. To qualify for these marks this person must, by 31 January 2012 have been a registered member of the farm business making the application. If your application is successful you will be required to enclose with the Form of Acceptance of the Letter of Offer, a copy of the birth certificate, passport or driving licence of this member of your farm business. The original documentation providing proof of the date of birth of this person must be available for examination during any onfarm inspection visit. Please indicate if you, or a member of your farm business, was under 40 years of age on 31 January If Yes you must provide details of the member of the farm business who was under 40 on 31 January (b) to (f) We are required, by the EU, to monitor how the FMP will impact on the rural community. You must answer all of these questions. Question 4. Project Details Before completing the Project Details table at Question 4 you should refer to the FMP Tranche 3 List of Eligible Items included in the Programme information pack. Only items listed on this schedule may be included. Financial support will only be paid on the purchase costs of individual new items up to the maximum amount payable for each item, as also detailed in the Tranche 3 List of Eligible Items. This amount is exclusive of VAT. 26

27 Each eligible item has an associated unique Item Code. At Column A enter the relevant Item Code At Column B enter the quantity of the item you wish to purchase. Please note that some items have a minimum purchase quantity. You will not receive an Offer of Financial Support for this item if you apply for less than the minimum purchase quantity. At Column C enter the total amount of financial support you seek for this item, that is, the financial support per unit item (cannot exceed the maximum financial support per individual unit of the item) multiplied by the quantity you seek. This total amount must not exceed 4,000. Total At the bottom of Column C enter the total amount of financial support sought for all items for which you seek financial support. This amount must be at least 500 but must not exceed 4,000. [If, on completing your application form, you find that the total amount of financial support sought exceeds 4,000, please reduce the amount of financial support sought on one or more items to ensure that the total amount of financial support sought is reduced to 4,000. If you received financial support under Tranche 1 and/or Tranche 2 of the FMP you must subtract from 4,000 the amount already paid to you in order to determine the maximum amount of support you can now apply for under Tranche 3. For example, if under Tranche 1 you received payment of 1,500 the maximum amount you can now apply for is 2,500. If you are unsure of the amount of financial support you have already received under FMP, you can receive details of previous payment(s) by telephoning the FMP Helpline. If you do not reduce the total amount of financial support sought to 4,000 the Agent automatically will reduce proportionately the amount of financial support sought on all the items included in your application form so that the total amount of financial support is 4,000.] Question 5. Declaration Please read this section carefully before signing your application. False declarations may lead to disqualification from the Programme, liability to refund any payment that is made and possible prosecution. Some or all of the information provided by you may be disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act Please note that for monitoring purposes you may be required to make available, at some future stage, pre project and post project investment accounts which have been produced and verified by a professionally qualified accountant. Failure to make these accounts available, if requested, will result in withdrawal or repayment of FMP financial support. Your application must be signed by the Project Promoter. We recommend you keep a copy of your completed application form for future reference. Completed hard copy applications must be received by the Agent or one of the DARD offices listed in the Applications Arrangements note at the beginning of the Explanatory Booklet before the closing date. Worked examples of how to complete Question 4 (Project Details) are included at the end of this Section. 27

28 SECTION 8 How to complete your Farm Modernisation Programme Tranche 3 application Worked examples for completing Question 4 (Project Details) of the hard copy FMP Tranche 3 Application Form. 1. Example where a farmer, who has not previously received financial support from Tranche 1/Tranche 2 of the Farm Modernisation Programme, seeking the maximum financial support of 4,000 has correctly completed Question 4. Column A Column B Column C Item Code Quantity ( ) Total financial support sought Net of VAT (Up to 40% of purchase cost and not exceeding the maximum unit amount payable multiplied by the quantity sought) A B B D E B31 1 1,173 [**Must not exceed 4,000**] Total ( ) 4, Example where a farmer has incorrectly completed Question 4 Column A Column B Column C Item Code Quantity ( ) Total financial support sought Net of VAT (Up to 40% of purchase cost and not exceeding the maximum unit amount payable multiplied by the quantity sought) A15 1 1,600 A B11 1 2,420 [**Must not exceed 4,000**] Total ( ) 4,228 Ineligible as quantity sought is less than the minimum purchase quantity. In this example, the applicant must apply for a minimum of 10 Ineligible as maximum financial support for item A15 exceeded. In this example, the applicant must reduce the financial support sought for this item to 1,255 or less. Ineligible as total financial support sought exceeds 4,000. In this example the applicant must reduce the maximum financial support sought on one or more items so that the total financial support sought does not exceed 4,000. For example the applicant could reduce the amount of financial sought for item B11 to 2,192 28

29 3. Example where a farmer, who received financial support from Tranche 1 of 1,295 and financial support of 1,460 from Tranche 2 of the Farm Modernisation Programme, wishes to apply to Tranche 3. Under Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 he has received a total FMP payment of 2,755. As the maximum financial support under the programme has been set at 4,000, this farmer can apply for further financial support of up to 1,245 under Tranche 3. Column A Column B Column C Item Code Quantity ( ) Total financial support sought Net of VAT (Up to 40% of purchase cost and not exceeding the maximum unit amount payable multiplied by the quantity sought) D D D D [**Must not exceed 4,000**] Total ( ) 1,245 29

30 SECTION 9 How will my application be assessed? How will my application be assessed? The FMP operates within a limited budget. Upon receipt hard copy applications will be date stamped and acknowledged, usually within 10 working days. Online applications will be automatically acknowledged on submission of your application, a copy of this acknowledgement letter should be printed and /or saved to your computer and retained for future reference. Applications will be assessed for financial support against the following selection criteria: 1. Target investment under one of the six FMP Tranche 3 priority investment areas by only seeking funding for items included in the FMP Tranche 3 List of Eligible Items. 2. Confirmation that the project would not go ahead in the absence of financial support. 3. Application completed and submitted within the published FMP Tranche 3 application period. 4. Possession of a valid DARD Category 1 Farm Business Identification Number. 5. Confirmation of the farm business VAT status. 6. Adherence to the maximum ceilings of financial support for each item. 7. Adherence to the minimum quantities (where applicable) of items to be purchased. 8. Adherence to the minimum and maximum amounts of financial support of the overall Programme. 9. Confirmation that the project is not being co-financed from another public funded source. 10. Agreement to make farm business accounts available. Mistakes or inconsistencies in your application may render it ineligible, no matter how minor these may appear to be. Where Tranche 3 of the FMP is oversubscribed, eligible applications will be scored against the following four additional selection criteria to determine award of financial support and those awarded the highest marks out of a possible maximum total of 115 marks will receive the available funding: (a) Degree of Modernisation (maximum 60 marks) Each eligible item has been assigned to one of three modernisation bands with the following marks: Band 1 Most modernising band of plant, machinery & equipment 60 Marks. Band 2 Intermediate modernising band of plant, machinery & equipment 45 Marks. Band 3 - Least modernising band of plant, machinery & equipment 30 Marks. The modernisation band for each item is detailed in the FMP Tranche 3 List of Eligible Items. The mark awarded to your application under this criterion will be that of the least modernising banded eligible item for which you seek financial support. (b) Succession Opportunity (35 marks) 35 marks will be awarded if a current registered member of your farm business was under 40 years of age on 31 January To qualify for these marks this person must, by 31 January 2012, have been a registered member of the farm business making the application. If your application is successful you will be required to provide original documentation providing proof of the date of birth of this person. (c) E-Communication (10 marks) Only applications submitted via the European Union Funding Programmes Grants Application website online facility ( will be awarded 10 marks for E-communication. (d) Not Successful in Previous Tranches (10 marks) Where a farm business has not previously applied to or received a Letter of Offer 30

31 SECTION 9 How will my application be assessed? of financial support under Tranche 1 and/ or Tranche 2 of the Farm Modernisation Programme, the application will be awarded 10 marks. Tied Scores If, after assessment, a number of applications tie on the same score, priority for award of financial support will be given in the first instance to those with the highest marks for Not Successful in Previous Tranches to be followed by marks for Succession Opportunity, followed by Degree of Modernisation finally E-Communication. If tied scores still remain priority will be given to those who only applied for equipment assigned to key priority investment area A Introduction of new technologies and innovation followed by those who applied for equipment under key priority investment area A Introduction of new technologies and innovation and/ or the key priority investment area F Enhanced environmental status. Successful Project Promoters will receive a Letter of Offer detailing the items for which financial support is being provided, the amount of financial support awarded and the appropriate timescale for the submission of the claim for payment. Unsuccessful Project Promoters will receive a letter detailing the reason(s) why their application was unsuccessful. This letter will also detail the steps to be taken should the Project Promoter wish to have the decision reviewed. On some occasions Project Promoters may receive a partial offer of funding. 31

32 Worked Example of Scoring Eligible Applications A. Farmer A submitted an online application Neither he or any other of his farm business members were under 40 years old on 31 January He has applied online for two items in Band 1 (most modernising) and two items in Band 3 (least modernising). He applied to Tranche 2 of the Farm Modernisation Programme but was not successful and did not receive a Letter of Offer. Farmer A s score is calculated as follows: B. Farmer B received a Letter of Offer of Financial Support under Tranche 2 of the FMP Farmer B has a son and a daughter under 40 years of age who are registered members of the farm business. She has submitted a hard copy application for three Band 1 items (most modernising). Farmer B s score is calculated as follows: (a) Degree of Modernisation: Application includes Band 3 items Degree of Modernisation Score = 30 marks (a) Degree of Modernisation: Application includes only Band 1 items Degree of Modernisation Score = 60 marks (b) Succession Opportunity: (b) Succession Opportunity: No members of the farm business under 40 years of age Succession Opportunity Score = 0 marks A member of the farm business is under 40 years of age Succession Opportunity Score = 35 marks (c) E-Communication: (c) E-Communication: Application made online E-Communication Score = 10 marks Did not submit an online application E-Communication Score = 0 marks (d) Not Successful in Previous Tranches No previous successful applications to the FMP Not Successful in Previous Tranches Score = 10 marks (d) Not Successful in Previous Tranches Received a Letter of Offer under Tranche 2 of the FMP Not Successful in Previous Tranches Score = 0 marks Farmer A Total Score = 50 marks Farmer B Total Score = 95 marks 32

33 SECTION 10 What happens when my application has been assessed? Successful Applications If your application is successful, you will be issued with a Letter of Offer. The Letter of Offer will be unique to your project. The Letter of Offer will include a detailed Project Schedule, a Form of Acceptance and the official Claim Form to be used for making your claim for financial support when your project is completed. If your farm business is not VAT registered and you have been offered financial support towards the VAT element of your project, your Letter of Offer will also include a Declaration for completion to confirm your non-vat registered status. If you are prepared to accept the terms and conditions for the award of financial support, the Form of Acceptance must be signed and returned to the Agent within 21 days of the date of the Letter of Offer. You are advised to retain a copy of both the Letter of Offer and the signed Form of Acceptance for your own farm records. It is the Project Promoter s responsibility to ensure that the signed and dated Form of Acceptance has been received by the Agent by the due date. If your Form of Acceptance is not received by the required date, your offer of financial support will automatically be withdrawn. The Department or its Agent cannot accept any responsibility if the signed and dated form of acceptance is not received by the Agent on or before the due date. Proof of posting will not be accepted as proof of delivery. If appropriate, you must also include your signed Declaration of Non-VAT Registered Status and a copy of the birth certificate, passport or driving licence of the farm business member under 40 years of age, detailed at Tab3/ Question 3 of the application form. You will normally have four months from the date of your Letter of Offer to complete your project and submit your claim for financial support. In exceptional circumstances, requests for an extension to the period in which your claim must be submitted should be made in writing to the Agent and before the expiry date of the Letter of Offer. An extension will only be considered where an item or items that are being funded cannot be supplied by a supplier before the expiry date. In such circumstances written evidence of an order having been placed will be required. If your request is accepted, the Agent will write to you extending the period of the Letter of Offer in which you must submit a claim. Any invoice(s) dated, expenditure incurred or payment(s) made after this date will not be eligible for financial support. Unsuccessful Applications An application for financial support will be unsuccessful if: (a) the application does not meet the requirements of the Programme; or (b) the application scored insufficient marks under the additional FMP selection criteria to be awarded funding. Project Promoters will be advised of the reasons why their application was unsuccessful and given an opportunity to make written representation requesting a review of the decision. A review may only be made on the basis that the application was incorrectly assessed against the Programme requirements. No additions or amendments will be permitted to be made to the application originally submitted. You must not incur any expenditure before the date of your Letter of Offer. Any invoice(s) dated, expenditure incurred or payment made before this date will be ineligible for financial support. 33

34 SECTION 11 Can I make changes to my application? You are only allowed to submit one application per farm business under Tranche 3 of the FMP, irrespective of the method of application. If two or more applications (online and/or hard copy) are submitted for the same DARD Farm Business Identification Number all of these applications will be deemed ineligible. After submitting your application you cannot make any amendments to it. If you wish to make changes to your project you will be required to withdraw your initial application and submit a new application. If you wish to withdraw your initial application you must contact the Agent in writing prior to the closing date (see Section 2 for contact details). Any new application must also be submitted before the closing date. Changes cannot be made to the application after the closing date. If you have received a Letter of Offer of financial support you cannot change any of the items detailed in your application and for which the offer of financial support has been made. Financial support is allocated for each specific item listed in the Letter of Offer. If the final cost of purchasing any item is less than estimated the balance of financial support is not transferable to other items. If you decide not to purchase one or more of the items for which you have been made an offer of financial support, you should immediately advise our Agent by telephone or in writing. Project Promoters should be mindful that claims for financial support for less than 500 (net of VAT), where all items detailed in the Project Schedule have not been purchased will not be accepted. 34

35 SECTION 12 How do I make a claim for financial support? All claims for payment of financial support must be made on the official claim form which will be enclosed with your Letter of Offer. Each claim must detail the items on which the financial support is claimed, including serial numbers where appropriate, the amount of financial support being claimed against each item and be accompanied by original invoices and original bank statements indicating that the invoices have been paid in full. In making your claim you should be aware that: It is your responsibility to ensure that a properly completed claim form is received by the Agent within the timescale stated in your Letter of Offer and that you comply with the rules of the FMP; Only one claim per application will be accepted. Staged payments, requests for advances or other payment methods will not be considered; All relevant questions must be answered and any supporting documents required must be enclosed with the claim; Mistakes should be corrected by crossing out the error and putting your initials against it. Do not use correction fluid as you could invalidate your claim if you do so; The items for which financial support is being claimed must have been purchased, received and paid for in full; The inclusion of ineligible expenditure may incur a penalty deduction; Expenditure where payment has been made using cash will not be eligible for financial support; Expenditure on items purchased using a hire purchase agreement will not be eligible for financial support; Debt owed to us may be deducted from the claim; and The completed claim form and associated supporting documentation must be received by the Agent within the timescale stated in your Letter of Offer. If returning your claim by post, please ensure you pay the correct postage charge; if you do not, your application may be delayed in the post. Proof of posting will not be accepted as proof of delivery. Financial support levels Financial support will be up to 40% of the paid invoiced amount of the eligible cost of the item up to the maximum financial support available per item. For example, for an individual piece of equipment you should seek financial support of up to 40% of the purchase price of that piece of equipment up to the maximum amount payable for that piece of equipment, as detailed on the Project Schedule at Annex 1 to your Letter of Offer. Where the supplier has made a discount on the invoiced cost of the item, the purchase price paid is the amount you pay after any deductions for discount have been made. The amount of financial support claimed must be based on the amount you pay after discount. The total maximum financial support payable will be 4,000 per farm business. Claims for financial support of less than 500, net of VAT, will not be accepted. 35

36 SECTION 12 How do I make a claim for financial support? Supporting documentation to be sent with your claim 1. A valid invoice must be supplied for each item on which you are claiming financial support. All invoices submitted with a claim must: Be an original invoice; Clearly show the supplier s name, address and telephone number and where applicable, the VAT registration number; Clearly show the Project Promoter s name; Show the date of supplying the goods; Provide a full description of the goods provided including quantities, serial numbers, where appropriate, and unit price; Clearly show the purchase price of each item separate from any associated costs such as delivery charges, installation charges and so on; Show the total amount due for payment by the Project Promoter; Show the amount of VAT charged as a separate item. If the supplier is not VAT registered, a written statement from the supplier should indicate this fact. This written statement should be signed, dated and the person signing should indicate his/her status in the firm, for example, owner, accountant, cashier; Show, where appropriate, the net amount actually paid by the Project Promoter giving details of discount, credit or hire charges and so on, which fully explain the amount due and amount paid; and Be marked with the date of payment and cheque number issued to the supplier or detail of other payment method. Copies of invoices will be made and originals will be returned to the Project Promoter. Invoices in Euro will be accepted, however, payment of financial support will be made in Sterling. The exchange rate will be calculated based on the date on which the transaction cleared the bank account. The rate used will be determined from the EU exchange rate website html/index.en.html Bank charges incurred against euro/sterling transactions will not be eligible for support. 2. An original bank statement indicating that the invoice(s) have been paid in full. 3. If your farm business is not VAT registered and you sought support on non recoverable VAT, a signed declaration that the farm business is not registered with H M Revenue and Customs for reimbursement of VAT. Monitoring information required with your claim The claim form will also require you to indicate which one of the EU monitoring targets (introduction of new IT systems; improved animal welfare investments; increased hygiene control or product storage standards; systems to enhance business efficiency; enhanced environmental systems or improved energy efficiency systems) most benefited from your application. This information is required for monitoring purposes and must be completed before any financial support will be paid out to the Project Promoter. On-farm inspections On-farm inspections may be carried out by the Agent on all successful applications before payments are made. Approximately 5% of Project Promoters will also be selected for an additional verification of EU regulation compliance to be carried out by our EU Verification Unit. Your project may therefore receive two pre-payment inspection visits. Claims selected for inspection will not be processed until the check is completed and any consequent recommendations are addressed. If you, or others acting on your behalf, prevent an inspection from being carried out no financial support will be paid. It is not possible for an inspector to advise of the effect on your claim of ineligible items or noncompliance detected at inspection. If penalties or reductions are to be applied to your claim, you will be notified by the Agent. 36

37 SECTION 12 How do I make a claim for financial support? On-farm inspections will be looking for evidence such as: The plant, machinery or equipment for which financial support has been sought has been purchased, received and that it is available for use by the Project Promoter. Photographic evidence may be taken; Serial numbers correspond with invoices; The plant, machinery or equipment was purchased after the date of the Letter of Offer; and That the claim relates only to purchase charges included in invoices. 37

38 SECTION 13 How will payment be made to successful Project Promoters? All payments due under the FMP will be made electronically into your bank account or building society account using the BACS which is an established and secure payment method. We will automatically make payment of FMP financial support to the bank account already associated with your farm business and into which all payments of agricultural grants or subsidies are made. Please note that the same bank account cannot be used for more than one farm business. If you have not already done so, you can register or change your Farm Business bank account details with the Department by contacting us at: DARD, Grants and Subsidies Payments Branch, Services Section, Room 9, Orchard House, 40 Foyle Street, Derry/Londonderry, BT48 6AT or by telephoning Bank details should not be returned to the Agent. 38

39 SECTION 14 Disallowances, reductions, penalties and recovery of financial support Only items detailed in the Letter of Offer will be eligible for financial support. Examples of when financial support may be disallowed or reduced include where a Project Promoter claims for ineligible expenditure, where a breach of the Letter of Offer has occurred or where insufficient supporting documentation is provided in support of a claim. It is the responsibility of the Project Promoter to ensure that all claims for payment are correctly calculated and relate only to activities and expenditure eligible for financial support in accordance with the EAFRD Regulations and the Letter of Offer. For this purpose an ineligible item is regarded as any item which is not included in the Project Schedule of the Letter of Offer. We, or our Agent, are required to check the accuracy of such claims. Should a claim contain ineligible items of expenditure the sum payable will be reduced accordingly. Where the sum of the ineligible items exceeds 3% of the total eligible amount, EAFRD Regulations require the reduction will be double that amount unless it can be demonstrated that the Project Promoter was not at fault for the inclusion of the ineligible items. Where financial support is paid and a default or breach of the Letter of Offer is later detected, we will seek to recover the financial support paid from the Project Promoter by issuing a written demand. If repayment is not made within one month we will seek recovery of financial support from our other payments due to the Project Promoter such as Single Farm Payment. We may also seek to recover interest on any repayment due. If no payments are due to the Project Promoter we will initiate legal proceedings to recover the financial support. Projects may be subject to ongoing monitoring to ensure the conditions of the award of financial support are fulfilled. Project Promoters must retain all documentation relating to their offer of financial support until 31 December Cases of suspected fraud will be referred to the appropriate authorities for investigation. If the Project Promoter is found to have intentionally made a false claim, the Project Promoter will be excluded from receiving financial support under EAFRD for a period of two calendar years from the date of the issue of the FMP Letter of Offer. If your application for financial support is successful and you accept an offer of financial support you will be required to retain any items of plant, machinery or equipment for which you receive funding for a period of not less than 5 years from the date of the Letter of Offer. Should you dispose of any items within this period or default on any of the conditions contained within your Letter of Offer, then we will seek to clawback any financial support awarded. 39

40 SECTION 15 Ongoing monitoring and evaluation To ensure the objectives of the FMP are achieved we are required to evaluate the effectiveness of our funding Programmes. In order to do this we may wish to examine your farm business accounts to determine what impact the award of financial support has made on your farm business. If you are not prepared to make copies of your farm business accounts which have been produced and verified by a professionally qualified accountant, available and which will detail farm income and expenditure before and after receipt of financial support, then we will not be able to make you an offer of financial support. In submitting an application to the FMP and by accepting a Letter of Offer you will be indicating that you are prepared to make appropriate audited farm business accounts available. Failure to provide farm business accounts, which have been produced and verified by a professionally qualified accountant, if required, will be a breach of the Letter of Offer and we will seek repayment of financial support paid to you. Monitoring and evaluation may be undertaken by, or on behalf of, the Agent, DARD, The Northern Ireland Audit Office, the EU Commission and the European Court of Auditors. 40

41 SECTION 16 Section 75 Equality monitoring Under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 we have a statutory obligation to promote equality of opportunity and good relations. To do this we have to continuously monitor and assess the equality uptake and outcomes of our policies and Programmes, to determine if there are any adverse effects or consequences and if there are, to look at ways to mitigate these. Equality monitoring is done through the use of an equality monitoring form (a tick box questionnaire). People who have benefited from funding under the NIRDP will be provided with this form to complete and a freepost envelope to return the completed form to NISRA. A farmer who receives funding under the FMP would be counted as a beneficiary. In addition, if the new plant, machinery and equipment funded under the FMP impacted on other members of the farm business, then these members would also be considered as beneficiaries and would be asked to complete a questionnaire. The equality monitoring information will be stored confidentially by NISRA. The completed forms are not seen by DARD and/or the Agent. The information collected will only be used for Equality Monitoring purposes and in compliance with The Data Protection Act The details on this form will not be used in the decision to award funding to any person/group who applies to the NIRDP, nor will this form be linked in any way to details of individual participants. The information obtained from the analysis of these anonymous and confidential forms will be used to determine if the NIRDP is giving due regard to equality of opportunity and good relations. It will also help to inform future decisions on what actions are needed to improve equality of opportunity and good relations across the projects funded by the NIRDP, for example improve focus on equality outcomes for underrepresented groups. Completion of this equality monitoring form is voluntary. However, beneficiaries will be encouraged to complete the form as it will greatly help us comply with our statutory duty and in our assessment of the equality uptake and outcomes of the NIRDP across different groups of people. 41

42 SECTION 17 Relevant EU legislation and directives The Letter of Offer will make reference to the principal relevant EC Regulations which can be found on the European Union website at Council Regulation (EC) 1782/2003 establishing common rules for direct support schemes under the common agricultural policy and establishing certain support schemes for farmers. Council Regulation (EC) 1290/2005 on the financing of the common agricultural policy. Council Regulation (EC) 1698/2005 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). Commission Regulation (EC) 1974/2006 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). Council Regulation (EC) 378/2007 laying down rules for voluntary modulation of direct payments provided for in Council Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 establishing common rules for direct support schemes under the common agricultural policy and establishing certain support schemes for farmers, and amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 410/2011 amending Regulation (EC) 259/2008 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005 as regards the publication of information on the beneficiaries of funds deriving from the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). Commision Regulation (EU) No 65/2011 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, as regards the implementation of control procedures as well as cross-compliance in respect of rural development support measures 42

43 SECTION 18 Further Advice (a) Sources of Useful Information In applying for financial support under the FMP, farm businesses may find the following documents useful: Publications relating to animal health and welfare pubs-dard-animal-health.htm Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 Further information can be obtained from, Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Agricultural Regulations Team, 17 Antrim Road, Lisburn, BT28 3AL; Telephone Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) apni/1972/capni_ _en_1 Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (Northern Ireland) htm Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order nisi/1978/cnisi_ _en_1 Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) contents/made (b) Useful DARD Telephone Contacts dard_telephone_numbers.pdf Animal Health & Welfare and Veterinary Public Health: Information and services relating to livestock movements, trade, animal welfare, veterinary public health, and the prevention and control of animal diseases. Environment: Agri-environment schemes, Countryside Management advice including Cross- Compliance, Nitrates Directive, Codes of Good Agricultural Practice, Farm Waste Management, Uncultivated Land Regulations and Field Boundary Removals. Farming: Livestock. Crops. Horticulture. Plant. health. Equine. Organic farming. Farm business management. Information technology. Grants and Funding: Single Farm Payment, LFACA, agri-environment, farm, fisheries, forestry, and rural development payments and grants, pre-2005 schemes. Rural Development: Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme, Rural and community development, Farm diversification, Rural Champion, Rural Proofing, Rural White Paper. 43

44 Fraud In conjunction with other Departments, Agencies and Funding Bodies, we will take every possible step to identify and pursue all attempted fraudulent claims and pay financial support only where eligibility can be confirmed beyond reasonable doubt. DARD Fraud Hotline Number :- FREEPHONE Copies of this document can be made available, on request, in other languages and alternative formats for example in large print, Braille, disc, audiocassette (for those with vision difficulties). For copies please contact: Countryside Agri-Rural Partnership, Farm Modernisation Programme 97 Moy Road, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone. BT71 7DX Telephone Number: Textphone number: Fax Number: Address: 44

45 Farm Modernisation Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme Axis 1 Measure 3: Modernisation of Agricultural Holdings Farm Modernisation Programme Tranche 3 List of Eligible Items and Maximum Amount of Financial Support Payable per Item 45

46 A. Introduction of New Technologies and Innovation Item Code Description of Eligible Items Ineligible items Minimum Purchase Quantity (where applicable) Degree of Modernisation Band Maximum Financial Support A10 Automated cattle shedding gate, associated controls and software 1 2,535 A11 Automated animal identification system allowing identification of individual animals 1 3,080 A12 Automated out of parlour feeding system 2 1,985 1 station A13 Automated out of parlour feeding system 2 2,720 2 stations A14 Automated out of parlour feeding system 2 3,780 3 or more stations A15 Electronic cow heat detection system 1 1,255 A16 Animal identification collars/ pedometers/transponders/ transponder tags for use with items A10 A15 Electronic ear tags 10 identifiers 1 26 per identifier A17 Automated parlour pipeline washing system 2 1,385 A18 Milk meter A19 A20 Automated vegetable transplanter 2 row module Automated vegetable transplanter 3 row module 2 2, ,915 46

47 Item Code Description of Eligible Items Ineligible items Minimum Purchase Quantity (where applicable) Degree of Modernisation Band Maximum Financial Support A21 Automated vegetable transplanter 4 row module 2 4,000 A22 Automated potting machine 2 4,000 A23 A24 A25 Single span Spanish tunnel structure for crop growing 6.4 metres wide, 32 metres long Twin span Spanish tunnel structure for crop growing 12.8 metres wide, 32 metres long Hydroponic trough unit 100mm wide, 50mm deep Plastic covers Plastic covers 2 1,380 Electronic ear tags 100 metres 3 4 per metre A26 Automated cut flower bucket filler Flower buckets/ containers 1 1,070 A27 Hand-held electronic data logger/personal digital assistant (PDA) with farm business/management recording facility Office PCs Contract charges A28 Electronic tag reader Electronic ear tags A29 Combined personal handheld electronic data logger/ personal digital assistant (PDA) and electronic tag reader Electronic ear tags A30 Farm business dairy only management/recording software including web based systems Annual support charges

48 A. Introduction of New Technologies and Innovation Item Code Description of Eligible Items Ineligible items Minimum Purchase Quantity (where applicable) Degree of Modernisation Band Maximum Financial Support A31 Farm business non-dairy management/recording software, including web based systems Annual support charges A32 Global Positioning System (GPS) to include at minimum: GPS receiver, data logging software and mount Annual charges for differential satellite navigation Office PCs A33 Web/internet protocol (IP)/ wireless based closed circuit (CC) TV cameras for animal husbandry, accessible by any farm web browser equipped hardware Broadband access Site surveys Annual support costs Office PCs Security cameras A34 Pregnancy scanner for cattle and sheep and pigs 2 2,900 A35 Pregnancy scanner for cattle only 2 2,250 A36 Pregnancy scanner for sheep and/or pigs only 2 2,100 A37 Automatic/robotic feed passage push equipment 2 3,975 A38 Automatic transplanter for ornamental crops 2 4,000 48

49 Item Code Description of Eligible Items Ineligible items Minimum Purchase Quantity (where applicable) Degree of Modernisation Band Maximum Financial Support B10 B11 B12 B13 Automated slurry scraping system 1 passage option Automated slurry scraping system 2 passage option Automated slurry scraping system 3 passage option Automated slurry scraping system 4 or more passage option 2 1, , , ,000 B14 Robotic slurry scraping device 2 4,000 B15 Cubicle scraping/brushing attachment for cleaning cubicle beds and heelstones 2 1,160 B16 Automated cattle foot dip with pumped flow and recirculation system Foot baths or mats not part of the system 1 2,030 B17 Automatic cluster remover per milking point B18 Cow cubicles 10 cubicles 3 23 per cubicle B19 Cow cubicle mats 10 mats 3 19 B20 Cow cubicle mattresses 10 cow spaces B21 Perforated rubber slat mat 10 square metres 1 28 per cow space 1 18 per square metre 49

50 B. Improved Animal Health and Welfare Item Code Description of Eligible Items Ineligible items Minimum Purchase Quantity (where applicable) Degree of Modernisation Band Maximum Financial Support B22 PVC pen divisions/panels 10 square metres 3 11 per square metre B23 Rotary livestock scratching brush Non-motorised brushes B24 Adjustable sow farrowing crate with drinker 4 crates per crate B25 Sow feeding/lying baskets 8 baskets 1 62 per basket B26 Self-contained rearing deck for piglets to include at minimum: automated feed preparation and delivery system, feed dispensers, supplementary heater and temperature control 1 3,340 B27 Automated water medicator/ acidifier for pigs B28 Communal feeder for piglets 1 56 B29 Overhead sheep shearing machine to include motor, drive and handpiece B30 Hand-held, powered sheep/ cattle clipper B31 Portable sheep handling unit to include at minimum: guillotine gate, shedding gate, race, footbath and collection pen Individual sheep hurdles/gates not part of the unit 1 1,245 50

51 Item Code Description of Eligible Items Ineligible items Minimum Purchase Quantity (where applicable) Degree of Modernisation Band Maximum Financial Support B32 Sheep clipping trailer Trailers for other purposes 3 1,305 Individual sheep hurdles/gates not part of the mobile system B33 Mobile sheep shower Individual sheep hurdles/gates not part of the mobile system 1 3,860 B34 Sheep roll over crate B35 Sheep transporter for towing by Quad/ATV All other transporters and livestock trailers Quads/ATVs B36 B37 Livestock trailer, aluminium/ galvanised, to include at minimum: full roof cover, slip resistant and effluent retaining floor, ventilation openings, side ramp gates, inspection door, brakes and lights metres body length Livestock trailer, aluminium/ galvanised, to include at minimum: full roof cover, slip resistant and effluent retaining floor, ventilation openings, side ramp gates, inspection door, brakes and lights Over metres body length Horse box Horse box 3 1,525 51

52 B. Improved Animal Health and Welfare Item Code Description of Eligible Items Ineligible items Minimum Purchase Quantity (where applicable) Degree of Modernisation Band Maximum Financial Support B38 Livestock trailer, aluminium/ galvanised, to include at minimum: dividing gates, full roof cover, slip resistant and effluent retaining floor, ventilation openings, side ramp gates, inspection door, brakes and lights Over 4.0 metres body length Horse box 3 2,165 52

53 C. Increased Hygiene Control and Product Storage Item Code Description of Eligible Items Ineligible items Minimum Purchase Quantity (where applicable) Degree of Modernisation Band Maximum Financial Support C10 C11 C12 C13 C14 Vermin proof bulk feed bin Galvanised or fibreglass tonnes single chamber Vermin proof bulk feed bin Galvanised or fibreglass tonnes split chamber Vermin proof bulk feed bin Galvanised or fibreglass tonnes single chamber with auger/gantry Vermin proof bulk feed bin Galvanised or fibreglass tonnes split chamber with auger/gantry Vermin proof bulk feed bin Galvanised or fibreglass tonnes single chamber , , , C15 Vermin proof bulk feed bin Galvanised or fibreglass tonnes split chamber 3 1,320 C16 C17 Vermin proof bulk feed bin Galvanised or fibreglass tonnes single chamber with auger/gantry Vermin proof bulk feed bin Galvanised or fibreglass tonnes split chamber with auger/gantry 3 1, ,040 53

54 C. INCREASED HYGIENE CONTROL AND PRODUCT STORAGE Item Code Description of Eligible Items Ineligible items Minimum Purchase Quantity (where applicable) Degree of Modernisation Band Maximum Financial Support C18 C19 Vermin proof bulk feed bin Galvanised or fibreglass tonnes single chamber Vermin proof bulk feed bin Galvanised or fibreglass tonnes split chamber 3 1, ,795 C20 C21 C22 C23 C24 C25 Vermin proof bulk feed bin Galvanised or fibreglass tonnes single chamber with auger/gantry Vermin proof bulk feed bin Galvanised or fibreglass tonnes split chamber with auger/gantry Vermin proof bulk feed bin Galvanised or fibreglass 30 tonnes and over single chamber Vermin proof bulk feed bin Galvanised or fibreglass 30 tonnes and over split chamber Vermin proof bulk feed bin Galvanised or fibreglass 30 tonnes and over single chamber with auger/gantry Vermin proof bulk feed bin Galvanised or fibreglass 30 tonnes and over split chamber with auger/gantry 3 2, , , , , ,565 54

55 Item Code Description of Eligible Items Ineligible items Minimum Purchase Quantity (where applicable) Degree of Modernisation Band Maximum Financial Support C26 Yard sweeping brush with collection box Sweeping width of feet (1.8 metres 2.3 metres) Replacement brushes C27 Silage pit mat for use on top of plastic silage cover Plastic silage covers 50 square metres 1 4 per square metre C28 Potato store ambient cooling ventilation system 1 3,510 Up to 300 tonnes capacity C29 Potato store ambient cooling ventilation system 1 4,000 Over 300 tonnes capacity C30 Potato store ventilation system with refrigerated cooling 1 4,000 C31 Portable drying system for potato boxes C32 Potato dry brushing unit Associated conveyors 2 4,000 C33 In store automated cascade for handling potatoes 1 1,815 C34 In store potato box filler 1 4,000 C35 Apple store carbon dioxide digital display unit with sensors C36 Apple store gas scrubber 1 4,000 C37 Air sprung flat bed trailer for transport of fresh produce All other trailers and transporters 3 4,000 55

56 C. INCREASED HYGIENE CONTROL AND PRODUCT STORAGE Item Code Description of Eligible Items Ineligible items Minimum Purchase Quantity (where applicable) Degree of Modernisation Band Maximum Financial Support C38 Mobile grain drier Minimum 9 tonnes holding capacity Additional conveyors/ augers Fuel storage 1 4,000 C39 Pre-cleaner for grain Up to 30 tonnes per hour capacity Fans and conveyors not integral to the pre-cleaner C40 Grain preservative applicator to include at minimum: pumps, flowmeter, nozzles and pipework C41 A frame grain storage division All other precast divisions 3 93 per division C42 Pedestal crop ventilation column with fan C43 Automatic temperature/ humidity control panel and sensors for crop store C44 Milk cluster flushing system per milking point C45 Mobile cold store Over 14 cubic metres capacity Permanent refrigeration units/ cold stores 1 4,000 Refrigerated vehicles C46 Wooden boxes/bins for top fruit storage per box/bin 0.3 tonne capacity C47 Plastic boxes/bins for top fruit storage tonne capacity C48 Wooden boxes/bins for fresh produce storage per box/bin 1 tonne capacity 56

57 D. Enhanced Occupational Safety and Business Efficiency Item Code Description of Eligible Items Ineligible items Minimum Purchase Quantity (where applicable) Degree of Modernisation Band Maximum Financial Support D10 D11 Supplementary feeder with milk dispensing unit for suckling pigs Ad lib feeder with water saving dispenser for pigs Dry feeders 1 92 per feeding space D12 Poultry dry plucker D13 Egg packer 3 4,000 D14 Egg tray stacker 3 4,000 D15 Cross conveyor for egg collection 3 4,000 D16 Nipple line for broilers 10 metres 1 7 per metre D17 Nipple line for layers 10 metres 1 9 per metre D18 Poultry Brooder D19 Automatic nests for egg collection. Per 1,000 birds 2 1,160 D20 Auto poultry weigher with pad or perch for poultry houses Office PCs D21 D22 Weighing equipment for bags/boxes Up to 600 kilogrammes weighing capacity Weighing equipment for bags/boxes Over 600 kilogrammes weighing capacity

58 D. ENHANCED OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND BUSINESS EFFICIENCY Item Code Description of Eligible Items Ineligible items Minimum Purchase Quantity (where applicable) Degree of Modernisation Band Maximum Financial Support D23 Drive on vehicle weighing platform/axle weigher 2 4,000 D24 Weighing crate, platform or load bars for lambs or pigs D25 Weighing platform or load bars for cattle crush D26 D27 D28 Calving gate incorporating dead lock head yoke and side containment gate Automatic crush gate or gate with adjustable yoke and attached crate Motorised backing gate for collection pen Head yokes only ,000 D29 Mobile crush run 3 1,200 D30 D31 Mobile galvanised cattle crush Basic model to include at minimum: automatic crush gate/adjustable yoke, rear gate and ratchet rump bar Mobile galvanised cattle crush Advanced model to include at minimum: automatic crush gate/adjustable yoke, rear gate, moveable side access, ratchet rump bar, hoof trimming winch and support ,205 D32 Head scoop D33 Calf disbudding crate

59 Item Code Description of Eligible Items Ineligible items Minimum Purchase Quantity (where applicable) Degree of Modernisation Band Maximum Financial Support D34 Vehicle mounted animal catchment pen 2 1,465 D35 Automatic field quad gate designed to provide Quad/ ATV access without the need for the driver to dismount Security gates Agricultural field gates D36 Concentrate feeder for beef cattle tonne to 2 tonnes capacity D37 Concentrate feeder for beef cattle 3 1,090 Over 2 tonnes capacity D38 Creep feeder for lambs D39 Creep feeder for calves D40 Sheep snacker feeder Quads/ATVs D41 Automated calf rearing system that identifies and feeds calves 1 2, feed dispensers/races D42 Automated calf rearing system that identifies and feeds calves 1 3,490 3 or more feed dispensers/ races D43 Calf collars/transponders for use with items D41 and D42 Electronic ear tags 10 calf collars 1 10 per collar/ transponder D44 Trailed silage feeder for calves/sheep D45 Trailed silage feeder for cattle Up to 34 head spaces 59

60 D. ENHANCED OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND BUSINESS EFFICIENCY Item Code Description of Eligible Items Ineligible items Minimum Purchase Quantity (where applicable) Degree of Modernisation Band Maximum Financial Support D46 D47 Trailed silage feeder for cattle Over 34 head spaces Front end loader for up to 100hp tractor ,410 D48 Front end loader for over 100hp tractor 3 2,945 D49 D50 Shear grab attachment with tine base Up to 1.7 metres width Shear grab attachment with tine base Over 1.7 metres width D51 Shear bucket attachment 3 1,450 D52 Log grab attachment for timber/willow rod handling D53 Timber trailer with grab/crane attachment 2 4,000 D54 Timber extraction winch with timber tongs 2 1,080 D55 Big bale spike 3 73 D56 Single big bale tipper/lifter 3 95 D57 Twin big bale tipper/lifter D58 Hydraulically operated big bale grab/stacker D59 Farm vehicle mounted feed passage push equipment D60 Big bale splitter or unroller Buckrakes 2 1,035 60

61 Item Code Description of Eligible Items Ineligible items Minimum Purchase Quantity (where applicable) Degree of Modernisation Band Maximum Financial Support D61 Straw chopper for big bales 2 4,000 D62 Bedding dispenser attachment 3 1,435 D63 Diet feeder with weighing system 2 4,000 D64 Self loading forage wagon 2 4,000 D65 D66 D67 Hydraulically operated power link box/scoop Up to 1.8 metres width Hydraulically operated power link box/scoop Over 1.8 metres width Three point linkage mounted crane for handling bulk bags D68 D69 Fertiliser sower Up to 1,500 litres capacity Fertiliser sower Over 1,500 litres capacity 3 1, ,460 D70 Lagoon slurry mixer 3 1,065 D71 Slurry pump for outside mixing point 3 1,045 D72 D73 D74 Above ground slurry store mixer Up to 1.8 metres width Slurry tanker Up to 950 gallons (4,320 litres) capacity Slurry tanker 951 1,150 gallons (4,325 5,225 litres) capacity 3 2, , ,325 61

62 D. ENHANCED OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND BUSINESS EFFICIENCY Item Code Description of Eligible Items Ineligible items Minimum Purchase Quantity (where applicable) Degree of Modernisation Band Maximum Financial Support D75 Slurry tanker 3 2,745 1,151 1,300 gallons (5,230 5,910 litres) capacity D76 Manure spreader, side discharge 3 2,075 D77 Manure spreader, rear discharge 3 4,000 D78 Turnip mesh winding machine Up to 13 metres crop width Associated mesh/ covers 1 3,545 D79 Turnip mesh winding machine Over 13 metres crop width Associated mesh/ covers 1 4,000 D80 Mechanical/hydraulic mushroom picking trolley 2 2,890 D81 Manual mushroom picking trolley D82 Horticultural dosing rig D83 Drip irrigation feeder unit for crops 10 units of 10 square metres 1 6per unit of 10 square metres D84 Pig house water sprinkler/ soaker 2 71 per sprinkler D85 AI flask Liquid nitrogen Straws D86 Rubber parlour mat 5 square metres per square metre D87 Horticultural spading machine Rotovators/cultivators 1 4,000 62

63 Item Code Description of Eligible Items Ineligible items Minimum Purchase Quantity (where applicable) Degree of Modernisation Band Maximum Financial Support E10 Electric/water heat pads for farrowing and weaner accommodation 4 heat pads 1 64 per heat pad E11 Control units for use with item E E12 Pig house ventilation control panel per control panel E13 Grinder for pig feed 2 2,865 E14 Solar panel water heating system with water storage tank Systems for domestic use 1 1,090 Up to 65 gallons (300 litres) heating capacity E15 Solar panel water heating system with water storage tank Systems for domestic use 1 1,340 Over 65 gallons (300 litres) heating capacity E16 Rainwater harvesting prefabricated covered tank with filter and pump Tanks for purposes other than collecting and storing rainwater 1 2,440 2,000 to 4,999 gallons (9,090 to 22,725 litres) capacity E17 Rainwater harvesting prefabricated covered tank with filter and pump Tanks for purposes other than collecting and storing rainwater 1 1 3,860 5,000 to 7,999 gallons (22,730 to 36,365 litres) capacity E18 Rainwater harvesting prefabricated covered tank with filter and pump Tanks for purposes other than collecting and storing rainwater 1 4,000 Over 8,000 gallons (36,370 litres) capacity 63

64 Item Code Description of Eligible Items Ineligible items Minimum Purchase Quantity (where applicable) Degree of Modernisation Band Maximum Financial Support E19 PTO driven wood chipper Engine driven and self-propelled units 3 2,775 Hoppers for storing chips E20 Soil/compost moisture meter with data logger connection E21 Grain moisture meter E22 Short rotation coppice willow harvester All other harvesters 2 4,000 E23 E24 E25 E26 E27 E28 E29 Controlled atmosphere crop store evaporator cooler unit Up to 70 tonnes capacity Controlled atmosphere crop store evaporator cooler unit tonnes capacity Controlled atmosphere crop store evaporator cooler unit tonnes capacity Controlled atmosphere crop store evaporator cooler unit Over 120 tonnes capacity Condensing unit including compressor for controlled atmosphere crop store Up to 70 tonnes capacity Condensing unit including compressor for controlled atmosphere crop store tonnes capacity Condensing unit including compressor for controlled atmosphere crop store tonnes capacity Cold stores 1 1,700 Cold stores 1 1,920 Cold stores 1 2,130 Cold stores 1 2, , , ,875 64

65 Item Code Description of Eligible Items Ineligible items Minimum Purchase Quantity (where applicable) Degree of Modernisation Band Maximum Financial Support E30 Condensing unit including compressor for controlled atmosphere crop store 1 2,450 Over 120 tonnes capacity E31 Ventilation fans Controls 1 83 Diameter up to 450mm Cowls Hoods E32 Ventilation fans Controls Diameter over 450mm Cowls Hoods E33 Re-circulation fans Heaters E34 De-stratification fans E35 Crop drying fan with motor Ducts 1 1,895 30hp or more Controls E36 Dairy plate cooler Single stage E37 Dairy plate cooler Twin stage E38 Dairy unit heat exchanger Up to 65 gallons (300 litres) heat recovery capacity E39 Dairy unit heat exchanger 1 1,110 Over 65 gallons (300 litres) heat recovery capacity E40 Generator to include at minimum: 50kVA output, automatic mains failure control and weatherproof acoustic silencer canopy 3 3,140 65

66 E. Increased Energy Efficiency Item Code Description of Eligible Items Ineligible items Minimum Purchase Quantity (where applicable) Degree of Modernisation Band Maximum Financial Support E41 High pressure sodium growing light complete with ballast, reflector and bulb. All other lighting and replacement bulbs 1 82 per unit 400 watts and over 66

67 Item Code Description of Eligible Items Ineligible items Minimum Purchase Quantity (where applicable) Degree of Modernisation Band Maximum Financial Support F10 Weather station with associated software for crop pest/disease monitoring Annual software support 2 1,170 F11 Steam boiler for soil/compost sterilisation 1 4,000 F12 Drill for introduction of clovers and other grasses into swards for renovation 1 2,485 Up to 4.5 metres width F13 Drill for introduction of clovers and other grasses into swards for renovation 1 2,730 Over 4.5 metres width F14 Mechanical post driver 3 1,090 F15 F16 F17 Grass/soil aerator Up to 3 metres width Grass/soil aerator Over 3 metres width Sub soiler Minimum 2 legs 1 1, , ,180 F18 Offset grass topper Disc mowers Other grass mowing equipment F19 Reed/rush control mulcher Disc mowers Other grass mowing equipment F20 Quad/ATV weed wiper/lick Quads/ATVs Sprayers for use with Quads/ATVs 3 1, , F21 Vehicle mounted weed wiper/ lick Item F20 1 1,790 67

68 F. Enhanced Environmental Status Item Code Description of Eligible Items Ineligible items Minimum Purchase Quantity (where applicable) Degree of Modernisation Band Maximum Financial Support F22 Quad/ATV fertiliser sower Quads/ATVs F23 Boom type twin fluid nozzle sprayer for field crops Air inclusion nozzles Single fluid nozzle sprayers 1 4,000 F24 Broadcast type air assisted nozzle sprayer for orchard crops Single fluid boom sprayers without air assistance fan/ compressor 1 3,595 F25 Orchard pulveriser Other mowing equipment 3 1,885 F26 Potato haulm pulveriser 3 2,725 F27 F28 Chain harrow Over 3 metres width Soil electrical conductivity meter F29 Soil ph meter 1 83 F30 Nitrogen meter F31 Hand held auger soil sampling kit 1 58 F32 GPS automatic soil sampler for Quads/ATVs Quads/ATVs 1 2,790 68

69 In all cases the following costs are not eligible expenditure: Installation costs Commissioning costs Warranties Consumables Running costs Site works Training costs Planning permissions Interest charges Charges incurred in tendering Computer hardware such as PC, laptop, printer etc Professional fees Delivery costs Service and fuel supplies electricity, water, oil, gas, etc Second hand equipment This above list of ineligible expenditure is not exhaustive. 69

70 Copies of this document can be made available, on request, in other languages and alternative formats for example in large print, Braille, disc, audiocassette (for those with vision difficulties). For copies please contact: Countryside Agri-Rural Partnership, 97 Moy Road, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone. BT71 7DX Telephone Number: Fax Number: Address: 70

71

72 Countryside Agri-Rural Partnership 97 Moy Road, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone BT71 7DX Farm Modernisation Information Farm Family Options: Skills Focus Farms Benchmarking Supply Chain Farm Family Options: Mentoring Countryside Agri-Rural Partnership is the managing agent for the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme Axis 1 Measures. Together with it s sub-contractors: 671 Antrim Road, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim BT36 4RL 17 Loy Street, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone BT80 8PZ Funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD). Countryside Services Ltd. T/A Countryside Agri-Rural Partnership. Company Registration No. NI033747