Equine Technical Support & Equine Breeding Schemes
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, wishes to announce that it is inviting
applications for funding available for projects which support improvements in equine
breeding schemes and systems in the non-thoroughbred horse sector and for training,
education, health and promotion initiatives/projects in the thoroughbred and nonthoroughbred sectors in the State as described below.
The operation of this scheme is subject to the provisions of Commission Regulation (EU) No
702/2014 and in particular Chapter III, Section 1, Articles 21 and 27(1)(2) and the enabling
legislation of the Central Fund (Permanent Provision) Act 1965. Unless otherwise stated,
terms defined in the Regulation shall have the same meaning. Aid will be granted to cover
eligible costs and will at all times be subject to National and EU Rules and State Aid and
Public Procurement Guidelines as defined above.
The funding is available for:
(a) Work on the formulation of genetic indices for stallions, blood/hair/tissue sampling/DNA
testing to verify pedigree, up-grading of equine registration systems and for the promotion
and marketing of non-thoroughbred horses;
(b) Initiatives in the areas of education, training and promotion in respect of equine health
and husbandry, stud management and safety, nutrition and quality breeding;
(c) Research into equine diseases and breeding and the capital cost of buildings and
equipment to facilitate the delivery of enhanced diagnostic and ancillary services;
(d) Data collection and analysis leading to the generation of information to underpin
improvements in the genetic quality in the non-thoroughbred sector and education/ training
opportunities to satisfy the needs of new entrants and those already involved in the equine
and related industries.
In accordance with EU Commission regulations, aid for projects may be granted up to the
following maximum levels:
-
Genetic Indexing 70%
-
DNA testing to verify pedigree 70%
-
Studbook Establishment and Development 100%
-
Marketing and Promotion 100%
-
Performance Testing 70%
Proposals relating to breed improvement for a specific breed under any of the above
mentioned headings will only be accepted from the holder of the EU approved studbook for
that breed or with evidence of the support of that studbook.
Project proposals will be assessed on criteria such as (a) compatibility with policy objectives
set out above, (b) the clarity with which their objectives are set out, (c) the clarity of
tasks/methodologies and their appropriateness and achievability, (d) the adequacy of the
applicant’s experience and capability to complete the projects in the required timeframe, (e)
the degree to which the cost is reasonable and represents good value for money, (f) the
strength of the benefit accruing from them and their impact, (g) the measurability of the
expected output and (h) the degree of collaboration with stakeholders. The Department is
less likely to favour projects which duplicate work being done already and will welcome
innovative proposals with tangible outputs for the sector and the economy generally.
Applicants for aid will be obliged to comply with certain terms and conditions. These
include a requirement to provide acceptable documentation as proof of expenditure and to
have complied with all legal, tax registration, employment regulations and hold current tax
clearance certificates (any sub-contractors, consultants or suppliers used in the projects must
also comply with all legal, tax and employment regulation requirements). Detailed Terms
and Conditions are posted on the Departments website. All projects proposed must be
capable of being fully completed in 2016. Payment of funds is subject to inspection checks
or audit.
Applications for funding must be made on the enclosed application form. All applications
should be sent to Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Livestock Breeding
Production and Trade Division, Farnham Street, Cavan, to arrive no later than 5th of February
2016