Kilkenny TD calls for ‘urgent review’ into removal of dribble bars from TAMS 3

Kilkenny’s Sinn Féin TD Natasha Newsome Drennan has called for an urgent review into the removal of the dribble bars from the TAMS 3 scheme.

“The removal of the dribble bar from low emission slurry spreading TAMS 3 investment will cause huge financial burden on many farmers throughout Carlow and Kilkenny,” the newly elected TD said.

“The dribble bar was included in TAMS 2, and it was proven to reduce emissions from slurry spreading drastically. “What has changed that the dribble bar is no longer eligible for funding?

“Many farmers who have small and medium sized slurry tanks could adapt and fit dribble bars to their existing tanks. This is not possible with the trailing shoe mechanism. It is a far heavier piece of equipment and is only suited to flat ground. It cannot be attached to farmers existing tanks and is considered unsafe on hilly and uneven ground due to its weight.

“Farmers will be forced to invest in a new slurry tank with a trailing shoe which is a huge financial investment or else they will have to hire a contractor to spread the slurry for them.

“We seen last year the pressure that contractors were under trying to get slurry spread before the deadline and this is only going to add to that pressure in the future.

“The minister needs to be practical about this and listen to farmers and farm organisations. There needs to be an urgent review of low emission slurry spreading investments under TAMS 3 and include investment for dribble bars.”