FETF: Animal Health and Welfare grants now available

The government has opened up the third of its grant themes under this year’s Farming and Equipment Technology Fund (FETF).

Farmers can now apply for Animal Health and Welfare grants, as well as Productivity, and Slurry Management, which opened up earlier this month.

Part of the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, this FETF grant pays a percentage of the cost of items on a list put together by the government, alongside farmers, vets and other experts. 

There are over 130 items on the list including 29 new additions. Items available range from mobile cattle handling systems, to enclosed piglet creeps, to poultry perches. 

Contractors for the cattle, sheep and pig sectors can also apply.

You can apply for a minimum of £1,000 and a maximum of £25,000. 

For many items, the percentage paid will be higher this year, the government said. The funding goes towards either:

• The average cost of the item – if an item costs you the same or more than the expected average cost in the item list 
• The actual cost you pay for the item – if an item costs you less than the expected average cost in the item list. 

 The deadline to apply is midday, 1st May 2024. 

Meanwhile the deadline for the Productivity and Slurry Management grants is midday, 17^th April (£1,000–50,000 is available for each grant). 

Across all three themes there are over 230 eligible items and 54 new additions on offer in this round.

READ MORE: What government grants can farmers apply for now?

How to improve your application score

The fund is competitive, so if you decide to apply, you can increase your application score by providing evidence that you’ve discussed your application with a vet.   

Veterinary advice can be by telephone, email, or as part of a vet visit. Fully-funded vet visit are available under the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) annual health and welfare review. 

You must receive advice on your application after 1st January 2024 and before 1st January 2025 for it to be eligible for the increase in score.    

You’ll need to provide your vet’s details, the date of the discussion and permission for the government to contact your vet when you apply. 

The government is planning two more rounds of funding under the productivity, slurry and animal health and welfare themes later this year. 

The list of items in each theme and information on how to apply can be found in the guidance on gov.uk.

Read more business news.