Cereals
Laxey Glen Mills Limited Milling Wheat Scheme 2002
This scheme enables payments of up to £32 per tonne to be made to growers who supply Laxey Glen Mills Limited with milling wheat. Payments are based on the wheat meeting the strict standards required for milling and further processing.
Countryside Care Scheme
The Countryside Care Scheme forms one of the components of the Policy for Manx Agriculture which was approved by Tynwald in April 2008. The Scheme was approved by Tynwald in December 2008 and was implemented on 1 April 2009. Click here for more information http://www.gov.im/daff/countryside_care/
Agri-Environment Scheme 2002
This scheme is aimed at supporting wildlife-friendly farming methods and allows payments to farmers who manage their land to agreed standards for the benefit of wildlife and the environment. The whole farm must be entered into the scheme and payments are made at 3 levels:
1) Whole Farm area, payment per acre, annually;
2) Habitat, payment by management technique, annually;
3) Options and Initiatives, payment for farmer-led initiatives to improve wildlife habitat, paid quarterly.
This scheme is now fully subscribed but may be extended in the future.
Organic Farming Scheme 2004
This Scheme seeks to encourage those who see an opportunity to develop a viable and sustainable organic market and to aid them during the conversion period.
Payments recognise that during the period of conversion the output from the land and farming activities may fall. The purpose of the scheme is to compensate the farmer for that reduced output and is not to support one particular management system over another.
To be eligible a farmer’s plan to convert land to organic status must be approved by a body sanctioned by the UK Register of Organic Farm Standards and must be for a minimum of 2 acres in area. Payments are made per acre for a 5 year period, reducing over that time.
Organic Farming Scheme 2004
This Scheme seeks to encourage those who see an opportunity to develop a viable and sustainable organic market and to aid them during the conversion period.
Payments recognise that during the period of conversion the output from the land and farming activities may fall. The purpose of the scheme is to compensate the farmer for that reduced output and is not to support one particular management system over another.
To be eligible a farmer’s plan to convert land to organic status must be approved by a body sanctioned by the UK Register of Organic Farm Standards and must be for a minimum of 2 acres in area. Payments are made per acre for a 5 year period, reducing over that time.
Young Farmers Setting-up Scheme 2004
This Scheme is currently closed to new applications.
This scheme is intended to help young farmers (under 40 years of age) set up an agricultural production business. It allows for the payment of up to £20,000 towards capital scheme costs and for payment of the interest on a commercial loan taken out to progress the business.
The Agricultural Holdings (Loans) Scheme 2007
Individual sitting farm tenants, farmers and prospective farmers and certain Limited Companies may apply for a loan to purchase agricultural land for their own occupancy. There are however various conditions which must be met.
The applicant must show that he has agricultural experience and ability, and has resided on the Island for at least the last 5 years. He can then apply for a loan towards the purchase of agricultural land to be occupied and farmed by him.
The maximum loan is 90% of the assessed freehold value of the land on purchase cost incurred in the Isle of Man. The applicant must provide at least 10% of the purchase price - this money must not be borrowed on the security of the land. The interest rate on the loan is determined by the Treasury and is currently 5%.
Loan repayments and interest are to be made half-yearly; the period in which the whole is to be repaid will be determined by the Department, but will not exceed 40 years. The final decision on the application rests with the Treasury.
The Agricultural Credits Acts 1924 & 1966
This scheme allows for landowners or life tenants to receive loans to carry out approved improvements to their farm. It is related to capital work eligible under the Farm Improvement Scheme for grant assistance, so loans are available for buildings but not equipment, fencing or drainage.
The applicant may apply for a loan of up to 80% of the net cost of the improvements after any grant assistance. Loans must not exceed 75% of the valuation of the holding, taking account of all current encumbrances. Advances may be given up to 70% of the actual expenditure. The interest rate is 6% per annum; the loan must be repaid by twice-yearly instalments over a period which will be determined by the Department, but will not exceed 20 years. The loan is secured on the holding where the improvement is sited.
