Ireland Extends Deadline for Conversion to Group Housing
IRELAND - The deadline for conversion to loose housing of sows under Ireland's Sow Welfare Scheme has been extended again, this time from the end of September to the end of February next year — over a year after the introduction of the European Union partial stalls ban.
25 November 2013
2 minute read
NPA reports that according to agriculture minister Simon Coveney, a "small group" of producers have been unable to complete their conversion work by the September deadline.
All farmers who intend to claim grant aid under the scheme, implemented in July 2012 in an attempt to ensure all pork producers complied with the European Union January 2013 stalls ban, must lodge a final payment claim by 28 February next year.
Mr Coveney reiterated that this new extension for completion of work under the scheme is not an extension of the deadline for compliance with sow welfare legislation. He reminded farmers that it is an offence to keep pigs in non-compliant housing after 1 January 2013.
