Skip the NI Direct Bar
Skip navigation

Gildernew announces opening of £1.25million Manure Efficiency Technology Scheme (METS)

Minister Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA has announced that the Manure Efficiency Technology Scheme (METS) will re-open on Wednesday 1 December 2010.
~ Friday, 26 November 2010

METS, a capital grant scheme delivered under the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, provides financial support for specialised slurry spreading equipment.

Making the announcement, Minister Gildernew said: “The productive and environmental benefits of advanced slurry spreading systems have been verified by local research at AFBI Hillsborough and demonstrated to farmers through a series of events organised by CAFRE. The METS will help farmers invest in technology which supports efficient and environmentally sustainable farming practice by promoting greater nutrient efficiency.”

Outlining the application process, the Minister continued: “The Scheme will be open to both individual and collective applicants, so farmers will have an opportunity to come together to submit a collective application under a lead applicant. This has the potential to help smaller farms benefit from the scheme and the technology.

“It will operate under specific selection criteria which will reflect the primary objective of maximising the environmental and productive benefits from the equipment funded under METS.

“At the end of the application period, applications will be scored individually and those awarded the highest marks will receive funding from the £1.25million available.”

The Minister also explained that in order to support the greater use of online facilities to access DARD key services and schemes, farmers are being encouraged to submit their applications electronically through the award of additional marks, although paper applications will continue to be accepted, by hand or by post.

She said: “On-line applications are the way ahead for more rapid service delivery, reduced paperwork and less bureaucracy. We have produced a step-by-step guide to take people through the online application and a Helpline has been put in place to provide assistance to anyone seeking help with the online process or experiencing technical issues.”

Concluding her announcement, the Minister said: “CAFRE will be holding METS information workshops at venues across the north in the coming weeks. These will help farmers assess whether investment in equipment funded under METS is appropriate for their farm business and I would encourage as many farmers as possible to come along.”

The closing date for applications is Friday 14 January 2011.

Notes to editors:

  1. The Explanatory Booklet, Application Form and details of the METS Information Workshops will be available on line from the Delivery Agent, Countryside Agri-Rural Partnership Limited, from Wednesday 1 December on the Countryside Agri-Rural Partnership website. These documents can also be accessed on the DARD website.
  2. Hard copies of these documents are also available on request from the Delivery Agent. Contact: Countryside Agri-Rural Partnership, Manure Efficiency Technology Scheme, 97 Moy Road, Dungannon, Co Tyrone, BT71 7DX. Telephone Number: 08450 267 535. Fax Number: 028 8778 8200. Email: mets@countrysiderural.co.uk.
  3. Dates, venues and further details of the CAFRE METS Information workshops can be obtained on the DARD website or from CAFRE Telephone Number: 028 9442 6770 or email: janine.small@dardni.gov.uk.
  4. The Manure Efficiency Technology Scheme is a Capital Grant Scheme delivered under the NI Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 measure 1.3 Modernisation of Agricultural holdings.
  5. The scheme will provide financial support to farm businesses of up to 40% of the cost of eligible items purchased. Eligible items for grant aid are slurry tankers fitted with trailing shoe, trailing hose and shallow injector slurry spreading systems.
  6. The grant available to each successful individual or collective application will be up to a maximum of £10,000.The total funding available for Tranche 2 is £1.25million.
  7. Applications will be assessed under the selection criteria:
    · Environmental Benefit and Cost Effectiveness: 65 marks,
    · Farms operating under the Nitrates Directive Derogation: 15 marks,
    · Succession Opportunity (age under 40), 15 marks; and
    · E-Communication: 5 marks.
  8. Tranche 2 will close for applications at 4.00pm Friday 14 January 2011.
  9. All media queries should be directed to the DARD Press Office on 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440.