The way forward for the important thing Defra grant schemes of curiosity to the pig sector is up within the air, because the division undertakes a assessment that’s inflicting concern throughout farming.
Defra not too long ago confirmed that, regardless of the ‘largest ever’ £5bn price range for farming and the setting over two years, it was ‘simplifying and rationalising grant funding’ after excessive demand for some grant objects led to unsustainable spending.
It’s now reviewing all grants to make sure they meet its core priorities, with additional updates promised in early 2025.
NFU help scheme adviser Richard Wordsworth defined that flagship schemes below the Environmental Land Administration scheme banner had ‘swallowed up quite a lot of the funding’, even with the untimely finish of fundamental funds in England. He outlined what the assessment means for key schemes.
Farming Tools and Expertise Fund (FETF)
There are three strands to FETF – bettering productiveness (allotted £70m in 2024), slurry administration (10.5m) and animal well being and welfare (£20m).
Spherical 1 of the 2024 FETF, which gives grants of as much as £25,000 or £50,000 for a variety of small objects, was fashionable, together with amongst pig farmers, with the window closing in April. The method is constant, and people who have been accepted have to submit their grant claims earlier than noon, January 10.
The second, and probably third, FETF 2024 utility home windows had been initially anticipated over the summer time and autumn, however by no means got here. Defra has now confirmed they may now not occur.
“It’s nonetheless potential there could be a proposal in 2025, however it’s wrapped up within the grant assessment. Within the worst-case situation it received’t seem once more,” Mr Wordsworth mentioned.
You may learn extra on FETF from the NFU HERE.
Slurry Infrastructure Grants (SIG)
Beneath the SIG, farmers might apply for grants of £25,000-£250,000 to enhance slurry storage.
The preliminary utility window for spherical 2 closed in January 2024, with full purposes for these shortlisted, following a location examine, due by June 27, 2025. That is nonetheless progressing.
“There was attributable to be a spherical 3 with an even bigger price range allotted, however we’ve not but seen it materialise, and additionally it is now a part of the assessment. It could by no means occur however, in its favour, water and air high quality are nonetheless key points, so the justification has not gone away,” Mr Wordsworth mentioned.
Infrastructure grants
The largest concern for a lot of within the pig sector would be the way forward for the big infrastructure grants, that are linked to the Animal Well being and Welfare Pathway.
Rounds 1 and a pair of, providing grants of as much as £500,000, had been centered on calf and hen housing. Spherical 3, in 2025, was below the earlier authorities at all times going to be about changing indoor pig farrowing lodging, with preliminary discussions having taken place.
Mr Wordsworth mentioned: “We’re completely not sure about how this one lies. It could by no means be realised because it wasn’t as far developed as another grants.”
Nonetheless, the NPA and others have made a compelling case that infrastructure grants might be important for the extraordinarily expensive transition to versatile farrowing.
Capital grants
The appliance window for Countryside Stewardship grants, which embrace, for instance, overlaying slurry shops, can also be paused, as purposes have to this point comfortably exceeded the price range.
