New cases of bird flu and African swine fever are periodically identified in Lithuania, so farmers are invited to invest in the biological security of their farms. Starting on March 4, a new call for the intervention measure of the Strategic Plan for this purpose will be launched, for the implementation of which more than one million euros have been allocated.
It takes almost two months to submit applications
Taking care of biosecurity is the best way to prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases, therefore the Ministry of Agriculture (ŽŪM) once again invites farmers engaged in animal husbandry to take advantage of the opportunity to receive support under the intervention measure of the strategic plan for agriculture and rural development of Lithuania 2023-2027 “Investments in preventive activities aimed at reduce the effects of possible natural disasters, adverse climatic events and catastrophic events”. Applications will be accepted from March 4 this year. until April 30
1.10 million has been allocated for this call for proposals. EUR of support funds, and a total of 2023-2027 5 million was allocated to the intervention measure. euros.
This is an opportunity to avoid unpredictable losses
The purpose of this intervention measure is to maintain the viability and competitiveness of livestock farms, and in the event of adverse events or outbreaks of animal diseases, to create more favorable conditions for farmers to preserve agricultural production.
“Many farm animal breeders have encountered infectious animal diseases and know that this means economic losses due to fallen animals, treatment costs, lost production. It is important to remember that infectious diseases can be combated not only by vaccinating or treating animals, but also by using biosecurity measures,” says Inga Budzevičiūtė, adviser of the Business Support Department of the European Union Affairs and Support Policy Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
The representative of the Ministry emphasizes that biosecurity measures help prevent losses, as they prevent the infection from entering the farm, and if the disease is already on the farm, after applying biosecurity measures, farm animals get sick and die less, thus maintaining better production quality, safety and animal welfare.
Investments in equipment and premises
The instrument is intended to support those activities aimed at reducing the threats and consequences of infectious diseases in dangerous farm animals.
The costs of purchasing and installing indoor or outdoor enclosures (fences, gates, access points, access control systems) are included in the categories of expenses eligible for financing; the costs of installing animal loading and unloading ramps and sites, closed passageways between buildings; the costs of purchasing fodder heat treatment equipment, disinfection sprayers, cleaning and disinfection equipment, washing-disinfection devices and vehicles. Support will also be available for the purchase and installation of containers and facilities for storing dead bodies. The list of expenses eligible for financing includes windows, bars, nets and other equipment to protect against rodents, insects, birds and other pests. It should be noted that only those costs that are provided for in the plan for the application of biosecurity measures and the necessary investments for the use of biosecurity measures in places where farm animals are kept can be eligible for financing.
Biological safety on the farm depends to a large extent on the behavior and knowledge of people, therefore it is planned to finance the costs of purchasing household and catering facilities, washing and drying equipment for workers looking after farm animals.
Requirements for receiving support
The applicant must have registered the holding in his name in the agricultural and rural business register of the Republic of Lithuania in accordance with the procedure established and the farmer’s farm. Also, prior to the submission of the application for support, the primary production of agricultural products must be carried out without interruption (animal husbandry activities are carried out) and for at least one year prior to the submission of the application, the production must be sold on the market.
Applicants can be both natural and legal persons keeping farm animals. Natural persons applying for support must be at least 18 years old. They, like legal entities, must engage in agricultural activities and the processing or processing of agricultural products produced or grown on the holding, and placing them on the market.
Applications submitted by a natural or legal person together with one or more project partners are not eligible for support.
The application for support and the necessary documents must be submitted through the information system of the Ministry of Agriculture (ŽŪMIS).
The amount of support depends on the number of animals
The maximum amount of support for the project may vary. For farms that keep up to 20 contract cattle (SG), the maximum possible amount of support for the project cannot exceed 4 thousand. Eur. If 21 or more SG are kept, the maximum possible amount of support for the project is allocated taking into account the number of animals kept on the farm, 200 EUR is allocated per SG, but it cannot exceed 100 thousand. Eur.
The applicant can submit only one support application for a specific place of keeping farm animals, but when the acquired property would be used in more than one place, for example, mobile disinfection equipment, then it is possible to submit a general application for support for more than one place of keeping animals.
Implementation – within two years
After receiving the support, the farmers undertake until the end of the control period to ensure that, after the implementation of the project, the purchased investments will meet the requirements of the legal acts controlled by the State Food and Veterinary Service. Also, during the entire project control period, the company undertakes to keep the average annual number of animals, expressed in SG, at the place of keeping farm animals no less than the one specified in the application.
Project implementation cannot exceed 24 months from the date of adoption of the decision to grant support.
The rules for the implementation of the intervention measure “Investments in preventive activities aimed at reducing the consequences of possible natural disasters, adverse climatic events and catastrophic events” can be found here.
for No. 2024/04
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– 2024-03-30 15:18:32
